Social inequalities
Vocabulary
- desigualdadinequality
- brechagap
- pobrezapoverty
- privilegioprivilege
- discriminacióndiscrimination
- sistémicosystemic
- accesoaccess
- oportunidadopportunity
- marginadomarginalized
- reformareform
Advanced passive voice in Spanish
To discuss social issues, the advanced passive voice is essential. It emphasizes the action rather than the actor.
- Estar + siendo + past participle (ongoing action):
El problema está siendo abordado. — The problem is being addressed.
- Haber + sido + past participle (completed action):
La ley ha sido aprobada. — The law has been approved.
Este grupo ha sido ignorado durante décadas. — This group has been ignored for decades.
- Ser + past participle (simple passive):
La reforma fue implementada en 2020. — The reform was implemented in 2020.
Remember to agree the past participle with the subject:
- Las medidas han sido adoptadas. (feminine plural)
- El informe fue publicado. (masculine singular)
Expressions
- La brecha sigue aumentandoDescribing a negative trend
- Ha sido ignorado durante décadasHighlighting a historical injustice
- Es necesario abordar este problemaCalling for action
- Los más vulnerables son los que...Identifying the victims
- Se requieren reformas urgentesDemanding changes
- La desigualdad afecta a todosEmphasizing universal impact
Common mistakes
La ley ha sido aprobadoLa ley ha sido aprobadaParticiple agrees with feminine subject (ley)
Las medidas han sido adoptadoLas medidas han sido adoptadasParticiple agrees in gender and number (feminine plural)
La reforma fue implementarLa reforma fue implementadaAfter ser/fue, use past participle, not infinitive
Quick quiz
Question 1 of 5
How do you say “access” in Spanish?
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