Understanding how to say and use the word ‘to disclose’ in Spanish is essential for effective communication, especially in legal, professional, and personal contexts. Disclosure involves revealing or making something known that was previously hidden or confidential. This concept is frequently used in contracts, media, relationships, and data sharing. For English speakers learning Spanish, mastering how to translate and apply ‘to disclose’ correctly will improve both comprehension and expression, particularly when dealing with formal or sensitive matters.
Basic Translation of ‘To Disclose’ in Spanish
The most direct translation of ‘to disclose’ in Spanish is‘revelar’or‘divulgar.’Both verbs convey the meaning of making information known to others, but there are slight nuances depending on context.
- Revelar: Often used when uncovering truths, secrets, or new information.
- Divulgar: Frequently used in media or public communication, implying broader distribution of information.
Examples in Sentences
- ‘The company decided to disclose its financial results.’ â ‘La empresa decidiórevelarsus resultados financieros.’
- ‘He refused to disclose the source of the leak.’ â ‘Se negó adivulgarla fuente de la filtración.’
Contextual Usage of ‘To Disclose’ in Spanish
Different contexts affect how you should translate and use the term. Below are several common scenarios where the word ‘disclose’ is used in English, along with their Spanish equivalents and explanations.
1. Legal and Contractual Settings
In legal documents or contracts, ‘to disclose’ often appears in clauses about confidentiality or information sharing. The Spanish legal system uses terms like:
- Revelar información confidencial to disclose confidential information
- Divulgar datos personales to disclose personal data
- Hacer pública cierta información to make certain information public
Example: ‘Parties must not disclose any confidential details.’ â ‘Las partes no deben revelar ningún detalle confidencial.’
2. Media and Journalism
Journalists and media outlets often ‘disclose’ information that the public needs to know. In Spanish, terms such asdivulgarandpublicarare suitable.
- ‘The newspaper disclosed the names involved in the scandal.’ â ‘El periódicodivulgólos nombres involucrados en el escándalo.’
3. Personal and Emotional Contexts
When discussing secrets or personal feelings, ‘to disclose’ is more intimate. Spanish speakers use:
- Confesar to confess
- Compartir to share
- Revelar un secreto to reveal a secret
Example: ‘She finally disclosed her feelings to him.’ â ‘Finalmentele confesósus sentimientos.’
Conjugation and Grammar
To use ‘revelar’ or ‘divulgar’ correctly in Spanish, understanding their conjugation is crucial. Here’s a quick look at how to conjugate ‘revelar’ in the present tense:
- Yo revelo
- Tú revelas
- Ãl/Ella/Usted revela
- Nosotros revelamos
- Vosotros reveláis
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes revelan
The same pattern applies to ‘divulgar’:
- Yo divulgo
- Tú divulgas
- Ãl/Ella/Usted divulga
- Nosotros divulgamos
- Vosotros divulgáis
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes divulgan
Past Tense Example
‘They disclosed everything yesterday.’ â ‘Ellosrevelarontodo ayer.’
Common Phrases Using ‘To Disclose’ in Spanish
There are a few set expressions in Spanish that convey the idea of disclosing something, especially in formal communication:
- Hacer una revelación to make a revelation
- Divulgación de información information disclosure
- Levantar el velo to lift the veil (poetic or metaphorical use)
- Exponer los hechos to expose the facts
Practical Tips for Learners
Understanding Context
Always consider the context when choosing between ‘revelar’ and ‘divulgar.’ The former is often used for personal or serious matters, while the latter leans more toward public or informational disclosures.
Matching Tone
Some words are more formal than others. ‘Divulgar’ sounds more bureaucratic or academic, whereas ‘confesar’ feels emotional and intimate. Choose according to the tone of your conversation or writing.
Use in Professional Communication
In workplace environments, phrases like‘divulgación de información’or‘revelación de datos’are commonly used in compliance, security, and HR-related discussions.
Synonyms and Related Terms
To broaden your vocabulary, consider these synonyms of ‘to disclose’ and their Spanish counterparts:
- Uncover destapar
- Reveal revelar
- Expose exponer
- Make known dar a conocer
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using ‘mostrar’ (to show) instead of ‘revelar’ when talking about hidden or confidential information.
- Overusing ‘decir’ (to say), which is too general and not specific enough to mean ‘disclose.’
- Confusing ‘confesar’ with ‘confundir’ they are very different!
Learning how to say and properly use ‘to disclose’ in Spanish enriches your vocabulary and enables more accurate communication, especially in professional, legal, and personal contexts. Whether you are revealing a company report, sharing a secret, or releasing public information, choosing the right Spanish verb such asrevelarordivulgarmakes all the difference. The key is to match your word choice with the intention and formality of the situation. With practice and awareness of context, you can use this term confidently and correctly across different scenarios.