Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate
How to Say "In Accordance With" in Spanish
De acuerdo con · phrase · deh ah-KWEHR-doh kon
The phrase "in accordance with" translates to de acuerdo con in standard Spanish. For legal and regulatory contexts, conforme a is the preferred choice. The simpler preposition según (according to) works in everyday conversation when strict formality is not required.
deh ah-KWEHR-doh kon
Actuamos de acuerdo con las normas de la empresa.
We acted in accordance with the company's rules.
In accordance with in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for in accordance with, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| de acuerdo con | in accordance with | deh ah-KWEHR-doh kon | Default, widely understood |
| conforme a | in accordance with | legal/formal — in accordance with | |
| según | in accordance with | general — according to |
How Native Speakers Use De acuerdo con
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Workplace policy
De acuerdo con el reglamento interno, no se permite fumar en la oficina.
In accordance with internal regulations, smoking is not permitted in the office.
De acuerdo con introduces a rule or standard being followed.
Legal document
Conforme a lo establecido en el artículo 15, el contrato queda rescindido.
In accordance with what is established in Article 15, the contract is terminated.
Conforme a is the go-to phrasing in legal writing, contracts, and legislation.
Everyday conversation
Según las instrucciones, hay que mezclar los ingredientes primero.
According to the instructions, you have to mix the ingredients first.
Según is less formal and works perfectly for daily speech and informal writing.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using De acuerdo con
Mixing up de acuerdo con and de acuerdo a
Incorrect: De acuerdo a la ley, esto es ilegal.
Correct: De acuerdo con la ley, esto es ilegal.
The prescriptive standard is de acuerdo con. While de acuerdo a is heard in some regions, many style guides and the RAE consider it incorrect or less acceptable.
Using según in highly formal writing
Incorrect: Según lo dispuesto en la Constitución...
Correct: Conforme a lo dispuesto en la Constitución...
In legal and constitutional texts, conforme a carries the appropriate weight and formality. Según is not wrong but may feel too casual for official documents.
Lock in In accordance with 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 De acuerdo con used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using de acuerdo con in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Actuamos de acuerdo con las normas de la empresa. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About In accordance with in Spanish
- Is de acuerdo a acceptable in Spanish?
- It is widely used in Latin America and understood everywhere, but the Real Academia Española (RAE) and most style guides recommend de acuerdo con as the correct form. In formal writing, stick to de acuerdo con.
- When should I use conforme a instead of de acuerdo con?
- Use conforme a in legal, regulatory, or highly formal contexts—contracts, laws, official reports. In everyday speech or standard business communication, de acuerdo con is perfectly appropriate.
- Can según replace de acuerdo con in all cases?
- Según overlaps partially, since it means "according to" and works for citing sources or instructions, but it lacks the formal weight of "in accordance with." For compliance or regulatory language, de acuerdo con or conforme a is more precise.