In Spanish, the word "impersonal" refers to something that does not have a personal or individual characteristic. It often describes language structures that are neutral and do not specify or emphasize any particular subject. In linguistics, it denotes verbs or constructions that do not relate to a definite subject or actor, making them general rather than specific.
The frequency of use of "impersonal" is moderate. It is relatively common in written contexts, especially within academic, legal, and linguistic texts. However, it can also appear in oral speech, particularly in discussions about grammar or when describing situations without specific agents.
La construcción impersonal se utiliza frecuentemente en el español.
(The impersonal construction is frequently used in Spanish.)
En el contexto legal, a menudo se emplean términos impersonales para evitar sesgos.
(In the legal context, impersonal terms are often used to avoid biases.)
La impersonalidad del informe genera dudas sobre su autoría.
(The impersonality of the report raises doubts about its authorship.)
Though "impersonal" itself is not commonly featured in idiomatic expressions, there are related phrases and constructions in Spanish that reflect the impersonal nature of actions or statements:
Se dice que el clima cambiará pronto.
(It is said that the weather will change soon.)
Se considera que...
(It is considered that...)
Se considera que la educación es fundamental para el desarrollo.
(It is considered that education is fundamental for development.)
Se ha demostrado que...
(It has been demonstrated that...)
Se ha demostrado que la práctica mejora el rendimiento.
(It has been demonstrated that practice improves performance.)
Se estima que...
(It is estimated that...)
Se estima que la población mundial alcanzará los 8 mil millones.
(It is estimated that the world population will reach 8 billion.)
Se utiliza para...
(It is used to...)
The term "impersonal" originates from the Latin "impersonalis," which means "not personal." It is formed by the prefix "in-" meaning "not," and "personal," from "persona," meaning "person."
Anónimo (Anonymous)
Antonyms:
This comprehensive overview of the word "impersonal" illustrates its meaning, usage in various contexts, and its linguistic significance in the Spanish language.