Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Behavior in Spanish: Comportamiento
Comportamiento · noun · kohm-pohr-tah-MYEHN-toh
The Spanish word for behavior is 'comportamiento' (masculine noun). A slightly more formal synonym is 'conducta,' which is often used in educational, psychological, and legal contexts. Both words describe how a person or animal acts in various situations.
Comportamiento is pronounced kohm-pohr-tah-MYEHN-toh. It is a five-syllable word with stress on the fourth syllable 'mien'. Conducta is kohn-DOOK-tah.
El comportamiento de los estudiantes mejoró después de la charla.
The students' behavior improved after the talk.
Behavior in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for behavior, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| comportamiento | behavior | kohm-pohr-tah-MYEHN-toh | Default, widely understood |
| conducta | behavior | formal/academic/behavioral |
How Native Speakers Use Comportamiento
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
School context
La maestra habló con los padres sobre la conducta del niño.
The teacher talked to the parents about the child's behavior.
Conducta is commonly used in educational settings for student behavior.
Animal behavior
Los biólogos estudian el comportamiento de los delfines en su hábitat natural.
Biologists study the behavior of dolphins in their natural habitat.
Comportamiento is used in scientific contexts for observed behavioral patterns.
Social expectations
Ese tipo de comportamiento no es aceptable en público.
That type of behavior is not acceptable in public.
Expressing disapproval of someone's actions in a social setting.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Comportamiento
Using behaviorismo directly
Incorrect: Estudia el behaviorismo animal.
Correct: Estudia el conductismo animal.
The psychological school of 'behaviorism' is called 'conductismo' in Spanish, not a direct anglicization. Related: 'behavioral' is 'conductual' in academic Spanish.
Spelling error
Incorrect: Su conportamiento fue excelente.
Correct: Su comportamiento fue excelente.
The correct spelling is 'comportamiento' with an 'm' before the 'p' (following the Spanish spelling rule that 'n' changes to 'm' before 'p' and 'b').
Lock in Behavior Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Comportamiento used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using comportamiento in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El comportamiento de los estudiantes mejoró después de la charla. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Behavior in Spanish
- What's the difference between comportamiento and conducta?
- Both mean behavior, but 'comportamiento' is more general and everyday (how someone behaves overall), while 'conducta' is more formal and often used in institutional contexts like schools, psychology, and law to describe specific observed behavioral patterns.
- How do you say 'well-behaved' in Spanish?
- A well-behaved person is described as 'bien portado' or 'de buen comportamiento' in Spanish, with 'portarse bien' being the verb phrase meaning 'to behave well'—you might hear a parent say '¡pórtate bien!' (behave yourself!).
- How do you say 'misbehavior' in Spanish?
- Misbehavior translates to 'mal comportamiento' or 'mala conducta,' and a misbehaving child is described as 'mal portado' or 'malcriado' (the latter also implying they are spoiled or poorly raised).