Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Random in Spanish
Aleatorio · adjective · ah-leh-ah-TOH-ree-oh
"Aleatorio" is the formal Spanish adjective for random, used in contexts ranging from mathematics to daily life. For a more casual expression, Spanish speakers often use the phrase "al azar," meaning by chance. Among younger generations, the English borrowing "random" is sometimes used colloquially, though it is not considered standard.
ah-leh-ah-TOH-ree-oh
El ganador será elegido de forma aleatoria.
The winner will be chosen at random.
Random in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for random, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| aleatorio | random | ah-leh-ah-TOH-ree-oh | Default, widely understood |
| al azar | random | common phrase meaning at random or by chance | |
| random | random | borrowed directly from English in informal speech among younger speakers |
How Native Speakers Use Aleatorio
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Describing a selection process
Los números se generan de manera aleatoria por la computadora.
The numbers are generated randomly by the computer.
"De manera aleatoria" means "in a random manner" and is the adverbial form used with verbs.
Picking something by chance
Escogí un libro al azar en la biblioteca y resultó ser excelente.
I picked a book at random in the library and it turned out to be excellent.
"Al azar" is the most natural way to express randomness in casual conversation.
Discussing statistics
La muestra aleatoria garantiza resultados más confiables.
The random sample guarantees more reliable results.
In academic and scientific Spanish, "aleatorio" is the standard term for describing random variables and samples.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Aleatorio
Gender agreement error
Incorrect: Fue una decisión aleatorio.
Correct: Fue una decisión aleatoria.
"Decisión" is a feminine noun, so the adjective must match: "aleatoria," not "aleatorio." Spanish adjectives change endings to agree with the noun they describe.
Using the English word in formal writing
Incorrect: El proceso de selección es random.
Correct: El proceso de selección es aleatorio.
While "random" is occasionally borrowed in casual speech, it is not accepted in formal or written Spanish. Use "aleatorio" or "al azar" for proper register.
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See Aleatorio used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Random in Spanish
- When should I use "aleatorio" versus "al azar"?
- "Aleatorio" is an adjective that modifies nouns, as in "selección aleatoria" (random selection). "Al azar" is a prepositional phrase that modifies verbs, as in "elegir al azar" (to choose at random). Both convey the same idea but function differently grammatically.
- Do Spanish speakers actually use the English word "random"?
- Some younger speakers in urban areas use "random" colloquially, especially in online contexts. However, it is not recognized by the Real Academia Española and should be avoided in formal speech or writing. Stick with "aleatorio" or "al azar" to sound natural and correct.
- How do I say "randomly" as an adverb in Spanish?
- You can say "aleatoriamente," "de forma aleatoria," or "al azar." All three work as adverbs. "Aleatoriamente" is the single-word adverb, while "de forma aleatoria" and "al azar" are phrasal alternatives that are equally common.