actitud
nounCEFR B2
What does “actitud” mean in English?
attitude, disposition
attitude, disposition (adoptar una actitud + adjective — the mental orientation brought to debate, how one engages)
Example sentences
Para avanzar en este debate, es fundamental adoptar una actitud abierta y estar dispuesto a revisar las propias ideas.
To make progress in this debate, it is essential to adopt an open attitude and be willing to review one's own ideas.
Su actitud ante las críticas fue defensiva desde el principio, lo que dificultó el diálogo.
Their attitude to criticism was defensive from the start, which made dialogue difficult.
Una actitud más flexible por ambas partes podría haber facilitado un acuerdo.
A more flexible attitude on both sides could have facilitated an agreement.
How to use it
La actitud ('attitude', 'stance') refers to the mental disposition or orientation a person brings to a topic, situation, or debate. At B2 it is used both descriptively ('adoptar una actitud crítica') and evaluatively ('su actitud es poco constructiva'). Key collocations: adoptar una actitud, cambiar de actitud, una actitud abierta/cerrada/crítica/constructiva/defensiva. Unlike postura (position, the view one holds), actitud focuses on how one engages rather than what one believes.
Common mistake
La actitud (how you approach / your disposition) vs. la postura (what position you hold). 'Cambió su actitud' = he changed how he engaged. 'Cambió su postura' = he changed his position/opinion. These are often confused: English 'attitude' can cover both. Also: 'actitud' refers to ongoing mental disposition; 'la posición' or 'la postura' refers to the stance on a specific issue. Feminine noun: la actitud.