This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A2 noun 11 min read

dato

Examples dato in 30 Seconds
Explanation dato in your Level:
At the A1 level, the word 'dato' is introduced as a basic noun to identify simple pieces of information. Students learn it primarily in the context of personal details. For example, 'mis datos personales' (my personal details) is a phrase used when filling out forms or introducing oneself. At this stage, the focus is on recognizing that 'dato' refers to things like a name, an age, or a phone number. It is important for A1 learners to understand that 'dato' is masculine ('el dato') and that its plural is 'datos'. They should also learn the very common 'dato curioso' (fun fact) as a set phrase. The primary goal is to distinguish 'dato' from other basic nouns and use it in simple subject-verb-object sentences like 'Tengo un dato' (I have a fact). Learners are encouraged to see 'dato' as a single 'item' of info.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the A2 level, learners begin to use 'dato' in more varied contexts, including school and simple work scenarios. They start to use adjectives with 'dato', such as 'dato importante' or 'dato interesante'. A key focus at this level is avoiding the 'false friend' confusion with 'fecha' (date). A2 students should be able to correctly ask for information using 'dato' and for the day of the week using 'fecha'. They also encounter 'datos' in the context of technology, specifically mobile data ('no tengo datos'). This level also introduces simple prepositions, so students learn to say 'según el dato' (according to the fact). The vocabulary expansion includes recognizing 'datos' as a collective set of information in a simple report or a news snippet.
At the B1 level, 'dato' moves into the realm of abstract discussion and intermediate professional use. Students learn to use it in complex sentences with relative clauses, such as 'El dato que me diste ayer era incorrecto' (The fact that you gave me yesterday was incorrect). They begin to explore collocations like 'base de datos' (database) and 'procesamiento de datos' (data processing). B1 learners are expected to use 'dato' to support their opinions in debates, providing 'datos concretos' to back up their claims. They also learn to distinguish between 'dato' and 'hecho' more clearly, using 'hecho' for events and 'dato' for the informational details of those events. The use of 'dato' in the plural to mean 'statistics' becomes more common in their reading and listening exercises.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B2 level, students use 'dato' with higher precision and in more formal registers. They encounter it in academic texts and professional reports where 'datos estadísticos', 'datos demográficos', and 'datos cualitativos' are discussed. B2 learners should be comfortable using 'dato' in the passive voice or with impersonal 'se' (e.g., 'se han analizado los datos'). They also learn more sophisticated idiomatic expressions like 'cruzar datos' (to cross-reference data) and 'a falta de datos' (for lack of data). At this stage, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a tool for logical structuring. They understand the difference between 'un dato menor' (a minor detail) and 'un dato clave' (a key fact) and can use these nuances to prioritize information in their writing and speaking.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C1 level, 'dato' is used in highly nuanced ways across various specialized fields. Students explore its use in legal, scientific, and philosophical contexts. They might discuss the 'fiabilidad de los datos' (reliability of data) or the 'manipulación de datos' (data manipulation) in a political context. C1 learners are expected to use synonyms like 'hallazgo', 'cifra', or 'pormenor' to avoid repetition and add stylistic flair. They understand the philosophical concept of a 'dato' as a 'given' in an argument and can use it in complex rhetorical structures. Their mastery includes understanding regional variations in how 'dato' might be used colloquially (e.g., 'tirar un dato' in some Latin American countries) versus formally.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 level, the word 'dato' is completely integrated into the speaker's lexicon, used with the same ease and subtlety as a native speaker. They can engage in deep discussions about 'Big Data', 'protección de datos', and the ethics of data collection. C2 learners can use 'dato' in literary or highly technical writing, moving seamlessly between different registers. They recognize and can use obscure or archaic meanings of 'data' (the feminine form) if encountered in legal or historical texts, though they know it's not for daily use. Their use of 'dato' is precise, using it to build intricate arguments where the 'dato' serves as the incontrovertible foundation of a logical proof or a poetic observation about reality.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Examples

dato in 30 Seconds

  • Dato means a piece of information or a fact.
  • It is a masculine, countable noun (el dato / los datos).
  • It is NOT a calendar date (which is 'fecha').
  • It also refers to mobile internet data on phones.
The Spanish word dato is a versatile and essential noun that every Spanish learner must master early in their journey. At its core, it translates to 'fact,' 'piece of information,' or 'datum' in English. While it might seem straightforward, its application spans from casual daily conversation to highly technical scientific and computer contexts. In everyday Spanish, people use 'dato' when they are referring to a specific detail or a singular point of knowledge that contributes to a larger understanding of a situation. Unlike the English word 'data,' which is often treated as a collective or uncountable noun, 'dato' is a countable noun in Spanish. You can have 'un dato' (one fact) or 'muchos datos' (many facts/data). Understanding this distinction is the first step toward using the word naturally.
Informational Context
In a general sense, a 'dato' is any element that allows for the knowledge of something or serves as a basis for an investigation or calculation. For example, if you are filling out a form, your name, address, and phone number are all 'datos personales'.

Necesito un dato más para terminar el informe.

Technical Context
In the world of computing and statistics, 'datos' refers to the raw input processed by a computer. This is where we see terms like 'procesamiento de datos' (data processing) or 'base de datos' (database).

La base de datos se actualiza cada hora.

Social Context
In social settings, 'pasame el dato' can mean 'give me the tip' or 'let me know the details' about a specific event, a good restaurant, or a job opportunity. It implies sharing useful, practical information that isn't necessarily public knowledge.

¿Tienes el dato de ese restaurante que mencionaste?

Ese es un dato clave para entender el problema.

Los datos sugieren que la economía está mejorando.

Beyond these uses, 'dato' is also used in the plural 'datos' to refer to mobile data on a smartphone. If you run out of internet on your phone while outside, you might say 'me quedé sin datos'. This has become one of the most frequent uses among young people today. In summary, 'dato' is the building block of information. Whether you are discussing a scientific discovery, sharing a piece of gossip, or checking your phone's internet plan, 'dato' is the word you need. It represents the transition from the unknown to the known, providing the evidence or the detail necessary to form a complete picture of reality. Its simplicity belies its power in structuring logical thought and effective communication in Spanish.
Using dato correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a masculine noun and its common syntactic patterns. Because it is a countable noun, it is frequently preceded by articles like 'un', 'el', 'este', or 'ese', and it changes to 'datos' in the plural. One of the most common ways to use it is as the direct object of verbs related to providing or receiving information, such as 'dar' (to give), 'proporcionar' (to provide), 'recibir' (to receive), or 'encontrar' (to find).
Subject of a Sentence
When 'dato' is the subject, it often describes the nature of the information itself. For example, 'El dato es erróneo' (The fact is wrong). Here, 'dato' is modified by an adjective to provide a judgment on the quality of the information.

Este dato cambia toda nuestra estrategia.

Object of a Preposition
You will often see 'dato' used after prepositions like 'con' (with), 'según' (according to), or 'sobre' (about). 'Según los datos...' is a classic way to start a sentence in a report or news story, meaning 'According to the data...'.

No podemos tomar una decisión sin ese dato.

Adjectival Modification
Adjectives like 'relevante' (relevant), 'curioso' (curious/interesting), 'falso' (false), and 'estadístico' (statistical) frequently accompany 'dato'. These modifiers help specify what kind of information is being discussed.

¿Sabías este dato curioso sobre los pingüinos?

Los datos oficiales confirman la noticia.

Ella me dio un dato muy útil para mi viaje.

Furthermore, 'dato' appears in several idiomatic constructions. 'A falta de datos' means 'due to a lack of information'. 'Cruzar datos' means 'to cross-reference data'. When you are talking about someone's personal details, you use 'datos personales'. In a more metaphorical sense, 'un dato de la realidad' is something that is simply a fact of life, something that cannot be ignored. When constructing sentences, pay attention to the pluralization. If you are talking about a set of information, use 'los datos'. If you are highlighting one specific point, use 'el dato'. For instance, 'Analizamos los datos' (We analyzed the data) vs. 'El dato de la inflación fue sorprendente' (The inflation figure was surprising). This distinction allows for precision that the collective English 'data' sometimes lacks without the word 'piece' or 'point'.
You will encounter the word dato in almost every sphere of Spanish-speaking life, from the most formal academic settings to the most casual street conversations. In the professional world, 'dato' is the currency of business and science. In any meeting where results are discussed, you will hear 'los datos del trimestre' (the quarter's data) or 'necesitamos más datos' (we need more data). News anchors and journalists use it constantly to ground their stories in evidence, often saying 'un dato importante a tener en cuenta es...' (an important fact to keep in mind is...).
In Technology and Media
With the rise of the digital age, 'datos' has become synonymous with internet connectivity. You will hear people ask, '¿Tienes datos?' meaning 'Do you have a data signal?' or '¿Me compartes datos?' meaning 'Can you share your hotspot/data with me?' This is perhaps the most frequent use among younger generations.

No tengo datos en este momento, ¿hay Wi-Fi?

In Education and Research
In schools and universities, 'dato' is used when discussing history, science, or mathematics. Students are taught to 'analizar los datos' and to provide 'datos concretos' to support their arguments. It is the opposite of 'opinión' (opinion).

El profesor pidió tres datos históricos sobre la revolución.

In Daily Bureaucracy
Whenever you deal with the government or a bank, you will hear 'verificar sus datos' (verify your details). This refers to your ID number, name, and other personal information stored in their systems.

Por favor, verifique que sus datos bancarios sean correctos.

¿Me das el dato de contacto de tu jefe?

Es un dato menor, no te preocupes por eso.

In casual social interactions, you might hear a friend say, 'Tengo un dato para ti,' which usually means they have a piece of advice or some interesting news to share. It could be about a sale at a store, a new person they met, or a secret they've heard. In this way, 'dato' bridges the gap between 'hard evidence' and 'useful gossip'. It is a word that provides clarity and substance to conversation. Whether you're filling out a form, talking about the weather, or debating politics, the word 'dato' is the foundation upon which your sentences will be built.
For English speakers, the word dato presents a few tricky hurdles, primarily due to 'false friends' and differences in how we count things. The most frequent error is confusing 'dato' with 'fecha'. In English, 'date' can mean both a calendar day and a piece of information (though less common). In Spanish, these are strictly separated: 'fecha' is for the calendar, and 'dato' is for information. If you say '¿Cuál es el dato de hoy?' to mean 'What is today's date?', a Spanish speaker will be confused, as they expect you to be asking for a specific piece of information or statistic.
The Date Confusion
Mistake: '¿Cuál es el dato de tu cumpleaños?' Correct: '¿Cuál es la fecha de tu cumpleaños?' Use 'fecha' for days, months, and years. Use 'dato' for facts and information.

Incorrecto: El dato de la cita es el lunes. Correcto: La fecha de la cita es el lunes.

Singular vs. Plural (Countability)
In English, 'data' is often used as a collective noun (e.g., 'The data is clear'). In Spanish, 'dato' is a regular countable noun. If you are referring to multiple pieces of information, you must use the plural 'datos'. Saying 'El dato son muchos' is grammatically incorrect.

Correcto: Todos los datos son importantes.

Overusing 'Dato' for 'Fact'
While 'dato' can mean 'fact', the word 'hecho' is often more appropriate for an event that has occurred. 'Dato' is more about the information describing the event. For example, 'The fact that he left' is 'El hecho de que se fue', not 'El dato de que se fue'.

Es un hecho (not dato) que la Tierra es redonda.

Dame un dato (not fecha) sobre la población de México.

Los datos (not data) están en la carpeta.

Another subtle mistake is using 'dato' when you mean 'appointment'. In English, 'date' can mean a romantic outing. In Spanish, this is a 'cita'. Saying 'Tengo un dato con María' would sound like you have a piece of information about Maria, not that you are going to dinner with her. To avoid these pitfalls, always ask yourself: 'Am I talking about a specific piece of information or a calendar/romantic date?' If it's information, 'dato' is your friend. If it's time-related, look elsewhere.
To truly sound like a native speaker, you need to know when to use dato and when to reach for its synonyms. While 'dato' is the most general term for information, Spanish offers a rich palette of words that can provide more nuance depending on the context.
Dato vs. Información
'Información' is a broader, often uncountable term (though it can be pluralized). A 'dato' is a single unit of 'información'. If 'información' is the wall, 'dato' is the individual brick. You use 'información' for the general concept and 'dato' for specific details.

Tengo mucha información, pero me falta un dato clave.

Dato vs. Hecho
As mentioned before, 'hecho' means 'fact' in the sense of an event or reality. 'Dato' is the information that represents that fact. For example, the fact that a war happened is a 'hecho'. The number of soldiers involved is a 'dato'.

Es un hecho innegable; los datos lo demuestran.

Dato vs. Cifra
When a 'dato' is specifically a number or a statistic, 'cifra' (figure/number) or 'estadística' (statistic) is often used. 'Las cifras de ventas' sounds more professional than 'los datos de ventas' in a business report.

La cifra de desempleo es un dato preocupante.

¿Tienes algún pormenor más sobre el accidente?

Necesitamos un antecedente para este caso legal.

Other alternatives include 'pormenor' (detail/minutia) and 'antecedente' (background/record). In a legal or medical context, 'antecedentes' are the previous 'datos' or history of a patient or defendant. By varying your vocabulary, you avoid sounding repetitive and demonstrate a deeper command of the language. For example, instead of saying 'dato' five times in a paragraph, you can switch between 'esta información', 'este hecho', and 'esta cifra'. This variety is the hallmark of advanced Spanish proficiency. Remember, 'dato' is your reliable, all-purpose tool, but the Spanish language provides a full toolbox for those who want to build more complex and beautiful sentences.
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

Mi nombre es un dato personal.

My name is a personal detail.

Uses 'dato' as a singular masculine noun.

2

Tengo un dato curioso sobre los gatos.

I have a fun fact about cats.

'Curioso' modifies 'dato'.

3

El dato es el número cinco.

The piece of information is the number five.

Simple subject-verb-complement structure.

4

Escribe tus datos en el papel.

Write your details on the paper.

'Datos' is plural here.

5

No tengo el dato de su teléfono.

I don't have the info of his phone (number).

Negative sentence with 'el dato'.

6

¿Es este el dato correcto?

Is this the correct fact?

Interrogative sentence.

7

Un dato es suficiente.

One fact is enough.

Use of 'un' as a numeral/article.

8

Los datos son para la clase.

The facts are for the class.

Plural agreement.

1

Necesito un dato más para mi tarea.

I need one more fact for my homework.

Use of 'más' to indicate addition.

2

No tengo datos en mi teléfono móvil.

I don't have data on my mobile phone.

'Datos' referring to internet data.

3

Ese dato es muy interesante.

That fact is very interesting.

Demonstrative adjective 'ese'.

4

Busca el dato en el libro de historia.

Look for the fact in the history book.

Imperative 'busca'.

5

Ella me dio un dato útil sobre el viaje.

She gave me a useful tip about the trip.

Preterite verb 'dio'.

6

Los datos demuestran que hace calor.

The data shows that it is hot.

Plural subject with plural verb 'demuestran'.

7

¿Cuál es el dato más importante?

Which is the most important fact?

Superlative construction.

8

Leí un dato sobre las estrellas.

I read a fact about the stars.

Past tense 'leí'.

1

El informe contiene datos sobre la economía.

The report contains data about the economy.

Professional context.

2

Es difícil decidir sin todos los datos.

It's difficult to decide without all the data.

Infinitive 'decidir' followed by prepositional phrase.

3

He encontrado un dato que no conocía.

I have found a fact that I didn't know.

Present perfect with a relative clause.

4

La base de datos se cayó esta mañana.

The database crashed this morning.

Technical collocation 'base de datos'.

5

Según los datos, las ventas han subido.

According to the data, sales have gone up.

Prepositional phrase 'Según los datos'.

6

Tengo que verificar este dato antes de publicar.

I have to verify this fact before publishing.

Verb 'verificar' + 'dato'.

7

No es solo una opinión, es un dato real.

It's not just an opinion, it's a real fact.

Contrastive structure.

8

Los datos personales están protegidos por ley.

Personal data is protected by law.

Passive-like structure with 'están'.

1

El cruce de datos reveló una tendencia alarmante.

The cross-referencing of data revealed an alarming trend.

Noun phrase 'cruce de datos'.

2

A falta de datos, no podemos confirmar la noticia.

In the absence of data, we cannot confirm the news.

Idiomatic 'A falta de'.

3

Este dato estadístico es clave para la investigación.

This statistical datum is key for the research.

Specific adjective 'estadístico'.

4

Los datos arrojados por el estudio son concluyentes.

The data yielded by the study are conclusive.

Participle 'arrojados' modifying 'datos'.

5

Debemos procesar los datos con cuidado.

We must process the data carefully.

Modal 'debemos' + infinitive.

6

Ese es un dato menor que no afecta el resultado.

That is a minor detail that doesn't affect the result.

Relative clause 'que no afecta'.

7

La privacidad de los datos es un tema candente.

Data privacy is a hot topic.

Abstract noun phrase.

8

Analizamos cada dato de forma individual.

We analyze each piece of data individually.

Adverbial phrase 'de forma individual'.

1

La fiabilidad de los datos ha sido cuestionada.

The reliability of the data has been questioned.

Passive voice 'ha sido cuestionada'.

2

Este dato es un antecedente fundamental para el caso.

This fact is a fundamental precedent for the case.

Legal context.

3

Los datos masivos requieren algoritmos complejos.

Big data requires complex algorithms.

Technical term 'datos masivos' (Big Data).

4

No omitas ningún dato, por irrelevante que parezca.

Do not omit any fact, however irrelevant it may seem.

Subjunctive 'parezca' in a concessive clause.

5

El dato de inflación superó todas las expectativas.

The inflation figure exceeded all expectations.

Economic terminology.

6

Es imperativo que los datos sean transparentes.

It is imperative that the data be transparent.

Subjunctive 'sean' after 'es imperativo que'.

7

La interpretación de los datos depende del contexto.

The interpretation of the data depends on the context.

Complex subject phrase.

8

Aportó un dato que cambió el curso de la discusión.

He/She provided a fact that changed the course of the discussion.

High-level verb 'aportó'.

1

El dato empírico contradice la teoría propuesta.

The empirical data contradicts the proposed theory.

Scientific/Philosophical register.

2

La soberanía de los datos es un reto geopolítico.

Data sovereignty is a geopolitical challenge.

Advanced political context.

3

Incluso un dato nimio puede ser revelador.

Even a trivial fact can be revealing.

Sophisticated adjective 'nimio'.

4

La recopilación de datos se hizo de forma exhaustiva.

The data collection was done exhaustively.

Impersonal 'se' with 'exhaustiva'.

5

Los datos brutos deben ser refinados para su análisis.

Raw data must be refined for analysis.

Technical term 'datos brutos'.

6

Este dato es la piedra angular de su argumento.

This fact is the cornerstone of his/her argument.

Metaphorical usage.

7

La ética en el manejo de datos es primordial.

Ethics in data handling is paramount.

Abstract philosophical discussion.

8

Se basó en un dato erróneo para llegar a esa conclusión.

He/She relied on an erroneous fact to reach that conclusion.

Pronominal verb 'basarse en'.

Common Collocations

dato curioso
base de datos
datos personales
dato estadístico
procesamiento de datos
cruzar datos
dato erróneo
Sign up free to see all examples

Related Content

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!