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discreción

B1 noun #4,500 most common 10 min read

discreción

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips discreción in 30 Seconds

Explanation discreción in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'discreción' often, but you should understand its basic meaning: being quiet or careful. You can think of it as 'shhh' or 'be careful'. At this stage, you might hear a teacher say 'silencio, por favor' or 'cuidado'. 'Discreción' is a more advanced version of these ideas. If you see it, just remember it means 'being careful with what you say'. You might see it in a simple sentence like 'Es un secreto, ten discreción' (It's a secret, have discretion). Focus on the idea that some things are private. It is a feminine word, so we say 'la discreción'. It is related to the word 'discreto', which means a person who is not loud or flashy. Even at A1, knowing this word helps you understand that Spanish culture values being polite and not talking too much about other people's business.

At the A2 level, you begin to see 'discreción' in more common phrases. You might encounter 'con discreción' (with discretion) which works like an adverb. For example, 'Habla con discreción' (Speak discreetly). You are learning to describe people, so you might describe a friend as 'discreto' or 'discreta'. You are also starting to read more complex texts, and you might see 'discreción' in news snippets or simple stories about secrets. It's important to start noticing that it ends in '-ción', which tells you it's a noun and it's feminine. You should also be able to distinguish it from 'descripción'. A2 learners should practice using it when talking about secrets or being careful in public places like a library or a hospital. It's a 'power word' that makes your Spanish sound more mature and respectful.

At the B1 level, 'discreción' becomes a key part of your vocabulary for social and professional interactions. You are now expected to handle more nuanced situations. You will use 'discreción' to talk about trust and reliability. For example, 'Confío en tu discreción' (I trust your discretion). This is a vital phrase for friendships and work. You will also encounter the idiom 'a discreción', which can mean 'at will' or 'as much as you want'. For example, 'Comida a discreción' in a restaurant advertisement. At this level, you should be comfortable using the word in different contexts: as a personality trait, as a way of acting, and as a legal term. You are moving beyond simple 'yes/no' secrets and into the territory of 'tact' and 'judgment'. You should also know the opposite word: 'indiscreción'.

At the B2 level, you should use 'discreción' with precision and understand its role in formal Spanish. You will encounter it in business contracts ('acuerdo de discreción') and in high-level literature. You should understand the difference between 'discreción' (the quality) and 'prudencia' (the action of being cautious). You might use it in debates about privacy and technology, such as 'la discreción en las redes sociales'. You should also be able to use it in the structure 'queda a discreción de...', which is very common in official documents. For example, 'La decisión queda a discreción del juez'. At B2, you are expected to understand the cultural nuances—that 'discreción' is not just about keeping secrets, but about emotional intelligence and knowing how to navigate complex social hierarchies without causing friction.

At the C1 level, 'discreción' is a word you use to express subtle shades of meaning. You understand its etymological roots in 'discernment' and can use it to describe a person's intellectual ability to distinguish between options. You will use it in academic writing or professional reports. You might discuss 'la discreción administrativa' (administrative discretion) in a legal or political context. You can use it metaphorically, perhaps describing a building's 'discreción' in its architectural design (meaning it blends in perfectly). You are aware of how 'discreción' interacts with other virtues like 'lealtad' (loyalty) and 'integridad' (integrity). Your usage is flawless, including the correct gender, accentuation, and the use of sophisticated adjectives like 'exquisita discreción' or 'absoluta reserva y discreción'.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'discreción' and all its related forms. You can appreciate its use in classical Spanish literature (like Cervantes or Quevedo) and how the concept of 'discreción' was a central pillar of the 'ideal gentleman' in the Golden Age. You can use the word in philosophical discussions about the limits of transparency and the necessity of private spaces in a digital age. You understand the most obscure uses of the word, including archaic phrases or highly specialized legal jargon. You can use it with irony or sarcasm if needed. For a C2 speaker, 'discreción' is not just a vocabulary word; it's a conceptual tool used to analyze human behavior, ethics, and social structures at the highest level of linguistic sophistication.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

discreción in 30 Seconds

A noun meaning discretion, tact, or prudence in speech and behavior.
Used to describe the act of keeping secrets or acting carefully to avoid offense.
Commonly found in phrases like 'con discreción' and 'a discreción'.
Essential for professional, legal, and sensitive social contexts in Spanish.

The Spanish word discreción is a sophisticated noun that translates directly to 'discretion' in English. However, its usage in Spanish often carries a weightier sense of social intelligence and moral prudence. It describes the quality of being careful in one's speech or actions, specifically to avoid causing offense, revealing secrets, or attracting unnecessary attention. In a culture where social ties and 'el qué dirán' (what people will say) are significant, possessing discreción is considered a high virtue, marking someone as trustworthy and mature.

Prudence in Speech: The ability to remain silent about sensitive matters or to choose words that do not provoke conflict.
Judgment and Decision-Making: The power or right to decide or act according to one's own judgment, often seen in legal or administrative contexts as 'a discreción'.
Modesty and Reserve: Behaving in a way that is not flashy or ostentatious, maintaining a low profile.

Le pedí que manejara el asunto con total discreción para no alarmar a los empleados.

You will encounter this word frequently in professional settings, particularly in HR, law, and high-end service industries. When a job posting asks for 'capacidad de trabajar con discreción', they are looking for someone who won't gossip about company secrets. In a social context, if a friend tells you a secret, they might preface it with 'te lo digo con total discreción', emphasizing the expectation of confidentiality.

La discreción es la mejor parte del valor, como dice el refrán.

Historically, the term stems from the Latin 'discretio', meaning the ability to discern or separate. This root is vital to understanding the word; a 'discreet' person is someone who can discern between what should be said and what should remain private. In modern Spanish, this 'discernment' has evolved into a synonym for tact and reservation.

Actuó con tal discreción que nadie se dio cuenta de su presencia en la fiesta.

In legal documents, you will often find the phrase 'a discreción de...'. This implies that a specific authority has the freedom to make a choice based on their judgment. For example, 'La concesión de la beca queda a discreción del comité'. This usage is slightly more formal but essential for B1 learners to recognize in official communications.

El uso de los fondos queda a discreción del director del proyecto.

Su discreción es su mayor virtud en este trabajo diplomático.

Using discreción correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a noun and the common prepositions that accompany it. Most frequently, you will see it following the preposition con (with) to describe how an action is performed, or within the phrase a discreción to indicate freedom of choice.

Adverbial Use (Con + Discreción): Used to modify verbs like 'actuar', 'hablar', or 'manejar'. Example: 'Actúa con discreción'.
Phrasal Use (A discreción): Indicates 'at one's discretion' or 'unlimited amount'. Example: 'Comida a discreción' (All you can eat).
Possessive Use: Linking the quality to a person. Example: 'La discreción de María es admirable'.

Por favor, mantén la discreción sobre los planes de la boda sorpresa.

When you want to emphasize the level of discretion, Spanish speakers often use adjectives like absoluta, total, or máxima. This is very common in professional emails or sensitive requests. For instance, 'Se requiere absoluta discreción' is a standard way to say 'This is strictly confidential'.

La empresa garantiza la máxima discreción a todos sus clientes VIP.

Another interesting usage is in the military or tactical sense, where 'fuego a discreción' means 'fire at will'. This highlights the 'judgment' aspect of the word—the soldier is given the authority to judge when to shoot. Similarly, in a buffet, 'bebidas a discreción' means you can drink as much as your own judgment (or thirst) dictates.

En el hotel teníamos barra libre y podíamos servirnos vino a discreción.

In more abstract sentences, discreción can describe a personality trait. 'Es un hombre de gran discreción' implies he is reserved, thoughtful, and unlikely to blurt out something inappropriate. It is a compliment to someone's character, suggesting they are a safe person to confide in.

Confío en tu discreción porque sé que no hablas de más.

Debemos tratar este tema con mucha discreción en la reunión familiar.

You will hear discreción in a variety of real-world contexts, ranging from the mundane to the highly formal. It is not a word relegated to old literature; it is very much alive in modern Spanish life. Understanding these contexts helps you grasp the nuances of the word beyond its dictionary definition.

In the Office: Managers use it when discussing payroll, layoffs, or sensitive projects. 'Mantengan la discreción, por favor'.
In Journalism and Media: Reporters often mention 'fuentes que pidieron anonimato y discreción' (sources who asked for anonymity and discretion).
In Hospitality: High-end hotels and restaurants pride themselves on their 'discreción' regarding their famous guests.

El abogado nos aconsejó actuar con la mayor discreción hasta que se firme el contrato.

In television dramas and movies, especially those involving espionage or high-stakes romance, discreción is a constant theme. Characters often trade secrets with the caveat of needing absolute secrecy. In these thrillers, the word takes on a more tense, almost dangerous tone, where a lack of discretion could lead to ruin.

Si quieres que te ayude, necesito que prometas total discreción.

In legal and governmental settings, the word is used to describe the power granted to officials. For example, a judge might have the 'discreción' to set bail within a certain range. Here, the word is less about secrets and more about the exercise of professional judgment and authority.

La policía tiene cierta discreción para decidir si ponen una multa o una advertencia.

Lastly, in everyday gossip (which paradoxically often involves the word), someone might say, 'Te lo cuento por tu discreción'. This is a common social lubricant—pretending that the listener is uniquely capable of keeping a secret, even if the speaker is telling everyone!

Sabía que podía contar con tu discreción para no arruinar la sorpresa.

En asuntos de salud, la discreción es obligatoria por ley.

Even though discreción is a cognate of 'discretion', English speakers often make specific errors when trying to use it in Spanish. These mistakes usually stem from gender confusion, pronunciation, or mixing it up with similar-sounding words.

Gender Error: Using 'el discreción'. Words ending in '-ción' are almost always feminine. Correct: 'la discreción'.
Confusing with 'Descripción': Beginners often say 'discreción' when they mean 'description'. Remember: Discreción = Secrets; Descripción = Details.
Overusing 'Con': While 'con discreción' is correct, sometimes learners forget the adjective form 'discreto' for describing people.

Incorrect: El discreción es importante.
Correct: La discreción es importante.

Another common error is the misplacement of the accent mark. In Spanish, words ending in '-ción' always carry an accent on the 'o' to maintain the stress on the final syllable. Writing 'discrecion' without the accent is a frequent orthographical mistake for learners and even some native speakers in casual texting.

Recuerda siempre poner la tilde: discreción.

Learners also struggle with the phrase 'a discreción'. In English, 'at your discretion' usually means 'it's up to you'. In Spanish, while it means that, it can also mean 'limitless' or 'at will'. If someone says 'puedes comer a discreción', they aren't just saying you have the choice to eat; they are saying you can eat as much as you want.

No es 'a tu discreción' (English structure), sino 'queda a tu discreción' o 'a tu entera discreción'.

Lastly, be careful with the adjective 'discreto'. In English, 'discrete' means separate or distinct, while 'discreet' means careful/private. In Spanish, discreto covers the 'careful/private' meaning. For 'separate/distinct', Spanish uses discontinuo or diferenciado.

Él es muy discreto (He is very discreet/private).

La discreción no es lo mismo que el secreto, pero están relacionados.

While discreción is a powerful word, Spanish offers several synonyms and alternatives that can help you sound more natural depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Knowing these will enrich your vocabulary and help you understand subtle differences in meaning.

Prudencia (Prudence): Focuses more on caution and avoiding risks. 'Actuó con prudencia' means he was careful not to make a mistake.
Tacto (Tact): Specifically refers to the social skill of saying things without hurting feelings. 'Le faltó tacto al dar la noticia'.
Reserva (Reserve): Refers to keeping things to oneself. 'Es una persona con mucha reserva' means they are guarded.

A veces la discreción requiere más que solo silencio; requiere tacto.

For more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter sigilo. This word specifically implies secrecy and doing things 'under the radar'. It is often used in political or detective stories. 'Entró en la habitación con sigilo' (He entered the room stealthily).

El espía operaba con un sigilo absoluto para no ser detectado.

If you want to talk about the lack of discretion, the most common word is indiscreción. This is often used to describe a 'slip of the tongue' or an act of gossiping. 'Cometió una indiscreción al contar el secreto'. Other related terms include imprudencia (recklessness) and ligereza (carelessness in speech).

Su mayor defecto es la indiscreción; no puede guardar un secreto por cinco minutos.

In a professional setting, instead of saying 'discreción', you might use 'confidencialidad'. This is the technical term for keeping information private. While 'discreción' is a human quality, 'confidencialidad' is often a legal or contractual obligation. 'Firmamos un acuerdo de confidencialidad'.

La confidencialidad es clave en la relación médico-paciente.

Actuar con cautela es a veces la mejor forma de discreción.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root 'discernere' also gave us the word 'discern' and 'discernment'. In the Middle Ages, 'discretio' was considered one of the 'mother virtues' because it allowed a person to practice all other virtues in the right measure.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dɪˈskrɛʃən/

US /dɪˈskrɛʃən/

The stress is on the final syllable: dis-cre-CIÓN.

Rhymes With

canción pasión atención lección misión visión razón corazón

Common Errors

Stressing the second syllable (dis-CRE-cion).
Pronouncing the 'c' as a hard 'k' sound.
Forgetting the accent on the 'o' when writing.
In Spain, failing to use the 'th' sound for the 'c'.
Pronouncing it like the English word 'description'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize because it is a cognate, but requires attention to context.

Writing 4/5

Requires remembering the accent on the 'o' and the single 's'.

Speaking 4/5

The 'cr' cluster followed by the 'ción' suffix can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation usually, but sounds similar to 'descripción'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

secreto hablar cuidado persona importante

Learn Next

prudencia confidencialidad sigilo tacto reserva

Advanced

discrecionalidad arbitrariedad discernimiento ponderación sensatez

Grammar to Know

Nouns ending in -ción are feminine.

La canción, la discreción, la emoción.

Accent marks on -ción words.

Always on the 'o' unless it's plural (discreciones).

Preposition 'en' with 'confiar'.

Confío en tu discreción.

Adjective agreement.

Una discreción absoluta (feminine singular).

Adverbial phrases with 'con'.

Actuar con discreción.

Examples by Level

Por favor, ten discreción con mi secreto.

Please, have discretion with my secret.

Uses 'ten' (imperative of tener) + noun 'discreción'.

La discreción es buena.

Discretion is good.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

Es una mujer de mucha discreción.

She is a woman of much discretion.

Feminine noun 'discreción' matches 'mucha'.

Necesito tu discreción ahora.

I need your discretion now.

Possessive adjective 'tu' + noun.

Habla con discreción en la biblioteca.

Speak with discretion in the library.

Adverbial phrase 'con discreción'.

La discreción es importante en el trabajo.

Discretion is important at work.

Definite article 'la' is mandatory.

Ella tiene mucha discreción.

She has a lot of discretion.

Verb 'tener' expressing a quality.

Gracias por tu discreción.

Thank you for your discretion.

Common phrase for expressing gratitude.

Actuó con discreción para no despertar al bebé.

He acted with discretion so as not to wake the baby.

Past tense 'actuó' + adverbial phrase.

La discreción es necesaria en este hospital.

Discretion is necessary in this hospital.

Adjective 'necesaria' agrees with 'discreción'.

Queremos un hotel que ofrezca discreción.

We want a hotel that offers discretion.

Relative clause 'que ofrezca' (subjunctive).

No me gusta su falta de discreción.

I don't like his lack of discretion.

Noun phrase 'falta de discreción'.

El camarero servía el vino con discreción.

The waiter served the wine with discretion.

Imperfect tense 'servía'.

Ellos manejan la información con discreción.

They handle the information with discretion.

Present tense verb + direct object + adverbial phrase.

Pido discreción sobre este tema familiar.

I ask for discretion regarding this family matter.

Verb 'pedir' + noun.

Su discreción le ayudó a ganar el puesto.

His discretion helped him win the position.

Subject 'su discreción' + verb 'ayudó'.

Confío plenamente en tu discreción para este asunto.

I fully trust your discretion for this matter.

Verb 'confiar' requires the preposition 'en'.

En este restaurante hay buffet libre a discreción.

In this restaurant, there is an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Idiomatic use of 'a discreción' meaning 'unlimited'.

Le pidió que se retirara con la mayor discreción posible.

He asked him to withdraw with the greatest possible discretion.

Superlative construction 'la mayor... posible'.

La discreción es fundamental para un buen diplomático.

Discretion is fundamental for a good diplomat.

General statement using 'fundamental'.

Siempre ha destacado por su discreción y elegancia.

He has always stood out for his discretion and elegance.

Verb 'destacar' + preposition 'por'.

Debes tratar estos datos con absoluta discreción.

You must treat these data with absolute discretion.

Modal verb 'debes' + infinitive 'tratar'.

Agradezco mucho la discreción que mostraste ayer.

I really appreciate the discretion you showed yesterday.

Relative clause 'que mostraste'.

La discreción de los testigos es vital para el caso.

The discretion of the witnesses is vital for the case.

Genitive 'de los testigos'.

La concesión de la licencia queda a discreción del ayuntamiento.

The granting of the license remains at the discretion of the city council.

Formal phrase 'queda a discreción de'.

Es preferible actuar con discreción que arriesgarse al escándalo.

It is preferable to act with discretion than to risk scandal.

Comparative structure 'preferible... que'.

Su falta de discreción provocó una crisis en la empresa.

His lack of discretion caused a crisis in the company.

Noun 'falta' acts as the subject.

Garantizamos la máxima discreción en todas nuestras transacciones.

We guarantee maximum discretion in all our transactions.

Business formal tone.

El éxito del plan depende de la discreción de los involucrados.

The success of the plan depends on the discretion of those involved.

Verb 'depender' + 'de'.

Manejó la situación con una discreción admirable.

She handled the situation with admirable discretion.

Adjective 'admirable' follows the noun.

No podemos permitirnos ninguna indiscreción en este momento.

We cannot afford any indiscretion at this time.

Use of the antonym 'indiscreción'.

La discreción es un valor en alza en la era digital.

Discretion is a rising value in the digital age.

Metaphorical use of 'valor en alza'.

La discreción administrativa permite al funcionario elegir entre varias opciones legales.

Administrative discretion allows the official to choose between several legal options.

Technical legal term 'discreción administrativa'.

Observó con discreción el desarrollo de los acontecimientos.

He discreetly observed the development of events.

Literary style using 'desarrollo de los acontecimientos'.

Su exquisita discreción lo hacía el confidente perfecto de la reina.

His exquisite discretion made him the perfect confidant of the queen.

Adjective 'exquisita' adds a high-register tone.

La discreción no debe confundirse con la falta de transparencia.

Discretion should not be confused with a lack of transparency.

Passive voice 'no debe confundirse'.

Se requiere una discreción absoluta dada la sensibilidad del proyecto.

Absolute discretion is required given the sensitivity of the project.

Impersonal 'se' construction.

El autor hace gala de una gran discreción al tratar temas espinosos.

The author shows great discretion when dealing with thorny issues.

Idiom 'hacer gala de' (to show off/demonstrate).

La discreción del diseño arquitectónico permite que el edificio se integre en el paisaje.

The discretion of the architectural design allows the building to integrate into the landscape.

Metaphorical use in architecture.

A pesar de su fama, siempre ha mantenido una discreción férrea sobre su vida privada.

Despite his fame, he has always maintained ironclad discretion about his private life.

Adjective 'férrea' (iron-like/strict).

La discreción es, en última instancia, el arte de saber qué callar sin mentir.

Discretion is, ultimately, the art of knowing what to keep silent about without lying.

Philosophical definition.

El ejercicio de la discreción judicial debe estar siempre motivado y fundamentado en derecho.

The exercise of judicial discretion must always be motivated and grounded in law.

Highly formal legal language.

Hizo gala de una discreción casi mística, como si guardara los secretos del universo.

He displayed an almost mystical discretion, as if he kept the secrets of the universe.

Hyperbolic literary style.

La discreción se convierte en un refugio contra la tiranía de la sobreexposición mediática.

Discretion becomes a refuge against the tyranny of media overexposure.

Social commentary.

La sutileza de su discreción era tal que sus intenciones permanecían indescifrables.

The subtlety of his discretion was such that his intentions remained indecipherable.

Complex sentence structure with 'tal que'.

En la diplomacia, la discreción es el velo que cubre las negociaciones más arduas.

In diplomacy, discretion is the veil that covers the most arduous negotiations.

Metaphorical language.

Su vida fue un ejemplo de discreción y servicio abnegado a la corona.

His life was an example of discretion and selfless service to the crown.

Eulogistic tone.

Abogamos por una discreción responsable que proteja la intimidad sin menoscabar el interés público.

We advocate for responsible discretion that protects privacy without undermining public interest.

Sophisticated vocabulary ('menoscabar').

Common Collocations

absoluta discreción

actuar con discreción

a discreción del...

pedir discreción

máxima discreción

guardar discreción

falta de discreción

total discreción

bebida a discreción

fuego a discreción

Common Phrases

A discreción

— At one's discretion or in unlimited quantities.

Había comida a discreción en la fiesta.

Con la mayor discreción

— As discreetly as possible.

Hicieron la entrega con la mayor discreción.

Queda a su discreción

— It is up to you to decide.

La elección del color queda a su discreción.

Por discreción

— Out of a sense of discretion or politeness.

No pregunté su edad por discreción.

Bajo estricta discreción

— Under strict confidentiality.

El documento se entregó bajo estricta discreción.

Hacer gala de discreción

— To demonstrate great discretion.

Hizo gala de su discreción al no mencionar el error.

Apelar a la discreción

— To ask someone to be discreet.

Apelo a tu discreción para que no digas nada.

Mantener la discreción

— To keep a secret or stay quiet.

Es vital mantener la discreción en este asunto.

Falta de discreción

— Indiscretion or tactlessness.

Fue una falta de discreción hablar de dinero.

Con absoluta discreción

— With complete secrecy.

El detective trabajó con absoluta discreción.

Often Confused With

discreción vs descripción

Means 'description'. Sound similar but have completely different meanings.

discreción vs distracción

Means 'distraction'. The first few letters are the same, but the meaning is unrelated.

discreción vs dirección

Means 'direction' or 'address'. Also ends in -cción but is unrelated.

Idioms & Expressions

"La discreción es la mejor parte del valor"

— It is better to be safe and careful than to be recklessly brave.

No peleó porque sabe que la discreción es la mejor parte del valor.

Literary/Proverbial

"Comer a discreción"

— To eat as much as one wants (all you can eat).

En el crucero podías comer a discreción.

Colloquial

"Fuego a discreción"

— Fire at will (military command).

El capitán gritó: ¡fuego a discreción!

Military

"A discreción del consumidor"

— Up to the consumer's choice.

El uso del producto es a discreción del consumidor.

Business

"Guardar el sigilo (y la discreción)"

— To maintain absolute secrecy, often in a legal sense.

Los médicos deben guardar el sigilo y la discreción.

Formal/Legal

"Ser la tumba de la discreción"

— To be extremely good at keeping secrets.

Cuéntamelo, soy la tumba de la discreción.

Colloquial

"Sin ninguna discreción"

— Openly and without any attempt at secrecy.

Se besaron en público sin ninguna discreción.

Neutral

"Pedir la venia y la discreción"

— To ask for permission and secrecy before speaking.

Pido su venia y discreción para hablar de este tema.

Very Formal

"Vivir con discreción"

— To live a quiet, modest life away from the spotlight.

El millonario prefiere vivir con discreción.

Neutral

"Con pies de plomo y discreción"

— To act with extreme caution and secrecy.

Hay que avanzar con pies de plomo y mucha discreción.

Idiomatic

Easily Confused

discreción vs discreto

It is the adjective form.

'Discreción' is the noun (the quality), while 'discreto' is the adjective (the person or action).

Él es discreto (adj). Su discreción (noun) es admirable.

discreción vs prudencia

They are synonyms.

Prudencia is more about avoiding danger; discreción is more about social tact and secrets.

Usa la prudencia al conducir. Usa la discreción al hablar de otros.

discreción vs sigilo

Both involve secrecy.

Sigilo is more about stealth and physical quietness; discreción is more about social judgment.

Entró con sigilo. Habló con discreción.

discreción vs reserva

Both involve keeping things back.

Reserva is a more general state of being guarded; discreción is specific to tact.

Es un hombre de mucha reserva. Actuó con discreción en la junta.

discreción vs tacto

Both involve social skill.

Tacto is specifically about not hurting feelings; discreción is about privacy and judgment.

Le falta tacto con los niños. Le sobra discreción con los secretos.

Sentence Patterns

Ten [noun].

Ten discreción.

Es una persona de [noun].

Es una persona de discreción.

Actúa con [adjective] discreción.

Actúa con mucha discreción.

[Verb] a discreción.

Puedes comer a discreción.

Confío en tu [noun].

Confío en tu discreción.

Queda a discreción de [person].

Queda a discreción del jefe.

Dada la [noun] requerida...

Dada la discreción requerida para el proyecto...

Hacer gala de una [adjective] discreción.

Hizo gala de una exquisita discreción.

Word Family

Nouns

discreción

indiscreción

Verbs

discernir

Adjectives

discreto

discreta

indiscreto

indiscreta

discernimiento

prudencia

reserva

sigilo

tacto

How to Use It

frequency

Common in professional and social contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'el discreción'. → la discreción
Nouns ending in '-ción' are feminine in Spanish. This is a very common mistake for English speakers.
Spelling it as 'discrecion' without the accent. → discreción
In Spanish, the accent on the 'o' is required to show that the final syllable is stressed.
Confusing 'discreción' with 'descripción'. → discreción
They sound similar but mean 'privacy' vs 'description'. Context usually helps, but be careful when speaking.
Using 'at your discretion' as 'a tu discreción'. → queda a tu discreción
While 'a tu discreción' is understood, the full phrase 'queda a tu discreción' is much more natural in Spanish.
Doubling the 's' (disscreción). → discreción
Spanish rarely doubles the 's'. Always use a single 's' in this word.

Tips

Feminine Ending

Always remember that -ción words are feminine. Say 'la discreción', never 'el discreción'.

Single 'S'

Unlike some English words, 'discreción' only has one 's'. Don't double it up!

All You Can Eat

If you see 'a discreción' on a menu, it's good news! It means unlimited servings.

Building Trust

Telling someone 'confío en tu discreción' is a great way to build a deeper bond of trust.

Job Interviews

Mentioning your 'capacidad de discreción' is a strong selling point for administrative or executive roles.

Stress the End

Make sure you emphasize the 'CIÓN' at the end of the word. Spanish loves stressing the end of these nouns.

The Opposite

Learn 'indiscreción' at the same time. It's just 'in-' plus the word, making it easy to remember.

Formal Documents

When you see 'a discreción de', it means that person has the power to decide.

Adjectives

Pair 'discreción' with 'absoluta', 'total', or 'máxima' to sound like a native speaker in emails.

Watch for 'Descripción'

If the context is about a painting or a person's looks, it's probably 'descripción', not 'discreción'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a **Secret** hidden in a **Cushion**. Dis-CRE-ción sounds like 'This Secret Cushion'. You need discretion to keep the secret in the cushion!

Visual Association

Imagine a person putting a finger to their lips (shhh!) while holding a locked box representing a secret.

Word Web

Secreto Prudencia Silencio Confianza Privacidad Juicio Elegancia Reserva

Challenge

Try to use 'discreción' in three different ways today: once to describe a person, once to describe an action, and once using the phrase 'a discreción'.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'discretio', which means separation, difference, or the power of discerning.

Original meaning: The ability to distinguish between things, specifically between right and wrong or what to say and what to keep silent.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be careful when asking for 'discreción' from someone; if said the wrong way, it might imply you don't trust them, though usually it is seen as a polite request for privacy.

English speakers often use 'discretion' more in a legal sense, whereas Spanish speakers use it very frequently in social settings to imply 'tact' or 'politeness'.

Don Quijote de la Mancha (Cervantes often discusses the 'discreción' of characters). The phrase 'La discreción es la mejor parte del valor' is a translation of Shakespeare's Falstaff. Modern Spanish songs often use 'discreción' when talking about secret love affairs.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Professional / Business

Acuerdo de discreción
Manejar con discreción
Garantizar discreción
Absoluta discreción

Social / Friendship

Confío en tu discreción
Ten discreción
Por discreción
Guardar discreción

Legal / Official

A discreción del juez
Discreción administrativa
Bajo discreción
Facultad de discreción

Dining / Hospitality

Comida a discreción
Bebida a discreción
Servicio con discreción
Buffet a discreción

Personal Character

Hombre de discreción
Falta de discreción
Mucha discreción
Gran discreción

Conversation Starters

"¿Crees que la discreción es la cualidad más importante en un amigo?"

"¿Alguna vez has tenido problemas por una falta de discreción de alguien?"

"En tu trabajo, ¿es necesario actuar con mucha discreción?"

"¿Prefieres a las personas que son muy abiertas o a las que tienen mucha discreción?"

"¿Qué opinas de los restaurantes que ofrecen comida a discreción?"

Journal Prompts

Describe una situación en la que tuviste que actuar con mucha discreción para ayudar a alguien.

Escribe sobre la importancia de la discreción en la era de las redes sociales.

¿Te consideras una persona con mucha discreción? ¿Por qué sí o por qué no?

Reflexiona sobre una vez que alguien cometió una indiscreción contigo.

Imagina que eres un diplomático. ¿Cómo usarías la discreción en tu día a día?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, in Spanish, all words ending in '-ción' are feminine. You must always use feminine articles like 'la' or 'una' and feminine adjectives like 'absoluta' or 'máxima'.

It means 'all you can eat' or 'unlimited'. For example, 'bebida a discreción' means you can drink as much as you want for a fixed price.

If you are in Spain, it sounds like the 'th' in 'thin'. If you are in Latin America, it sounds like an 's'.

Yes, in formal contexts like 'a discreción del director', it means 'at the director's choice' or 'at the director's judgment'.

Yes, it is very common in professional environments, news, and even in daily social life when talking about secrets.

The most direct opposite is 'indiscreción', which means a lack of tact or failing to keep a secret.

Yes, it always has an accent on the 'o' (ó). However, the plural form 'discreciones' does not have an accent.

The root is the same, but in Spanish, we use 'discreto' for math/logic and 'discreción' for the human quality of being careful.

Yes, this is a very common way to say 'very discreetly'.

It is neutral to formal. It's perfectly fine to use in a casual conversation about secrets, but it's also used in legal documents.