Spanish · C1 · Everyday language
From Paperwork to Plain Words in Spanish
Helping your child navigate formal documents often involves translating nominalized nouns—common in official Spanish—back into active verbs. This guide focuses on turning abstract nouns ending in -ción (equivalent to the German -ung) and their complements into clear, actionable language.
What you'll learn
- Transform complex nominal phrases into clear verb-based explanations.
- Understand the use of 'de' to represent genitive complements in formal Spanish.
- Confidently explain administrative terminology to children in everyday language.
Spanish phrases for from paperwork to plain words
La revisión de tu solicitud simplemente significa que alguien comprobará lo que enviaste.
The review of your application simply means that someone will check what you submitted.
'Revisión' (review) is the nominalization of 'revisar'.
El lenguaje de la escuela se refiere a la aprobación del proyecto; en lenguaje cotidiano, significa que la escuela debe aprobar tu idea.
The school's wording refers to the approval of the project; in everyday language, it means the school must approve your idea.
'Aprobación' (approval) maps to the verb 'aprobar'.
La prórroga del plazo le daría más tiempo a tu grupo, pero aún así tienes que solicitarla.
The extension of the deadline would give your group more time, but you still need to request it.
'Prórroga' is a noun; 'prorrogar' is the action of extending a deadline.
En lugar de decir que evaluarás la encuesta, podrías usar 'la evaluación de la encuesta' como un encabezado formal.
Instead of saying that you will evaluate the survey, you could use 'the evaluation of the survey' as a formal heading.
Useful for teaching children how to structure formal reports.
La distribución de las tareas significa decidir quién hará qué, no dejarte todo a ti.
The distribution of the tasks means deciding who will do what, not leaving everything to you.
'Distribución' (distribution) clarifies the act of 'distribuir' (to distribute).
La explicación de las reglas debería ayudar a que todos las entiendan, en lugar de hacer que parezcan más complicadas.
The explanation of the rules should help everyone understand them, rather than make them sound more complicated.
'Explicación' (explanation) is the nominal form of 'explicar'.
La mejora de la presentación es un objetivo amplio; ¿qué parte quieres mejorar exactamente?
The improvement of the presentation is a broad goal; which part do you actually want to improve?
'Mejora' (improvement) comes from the verb 'mejorar'.
Cuando la carta menciona la cancelación del evento, significa que los organizadores lo han cancelado.
When the letter mentions the cancellation of the event, it means the organisers have cancelled it.
'Cancelación' (cancellation) corresponds to 'cancelar'.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Solicitud
Application/Request
Derived from the verb 'solicitar'.
Plazo
Deadline/Period
Common in school and administrative contexts.
Encabezado
Heading
Used when organizing written work or forms.
Cotidiano
Everyday/Daily
Used here to contrast formal language with casual speech.
Nominalization with -ción and Genitive Complements
In formal Spanish, verbs are often turned into nouns (nominalization), frequently using the suffix '-ción'. The object of the original verb is then attached using 'de' (acting as a genitive complement). To explain these to a child, you 'unpack' them by turning the noun back into a verb.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb + Object | Aprobar el proyecto | Tenemos que aprobar el proyecto. |
| Nominalized Phrase | La aprobación del proyecto | La aprobación del proyecto es necesaria. |
| Noun Suffixes | -ción, -sión, -miento | Evaluación, Revisión, Mejoramiento. |
More examples
¿Qué significa 'la tramitación del carnet'?
What does 'the processing of the ID card' mean?
A common question a child might ask about paperwork.
Significa que están haciendo los trámites para darte el carnet.
It means they are doing the steps to give you the card.
Explaining the noun 'tramitación' using the verb 'tramitar' or the noun 'trámites'.