factor
nounCEFR B2
What does “factor” mean in English?
factor
factor (an element that contributes to a result; factor clave; factor de riesgo; factores que inciden en)
Example sentences
El informe identifica el acceso desigual a la educación como el factor principal que perpetúa la brecha de desigualdad.
The report identifies unequal access to education as the main factor perpetuating the inequality gap.
Existen múltiples factores que explican el aumento de la desconfianza ciudadana hacia los partidos políticos.
There are multiple factors that explain the rise in citizens' distrust of political parties.
El factor humano sigue siendo el principal responsable de los accidentes laborales, según los datos del ministerio.
The human factor remains the main cause of workplace accidents, according to ministerial data.
How to use it
El factor (noun, masculine) means 'factor' — a cause, circumstance, or element that contributes to a result. At B2 it is one of the most frequent nouns in analytical and academic discourse. Core collocations: factor determinante/clave/decisivo; factor de riesgo; factores económicos/sociales; el factor humano; tener en cuenta todos los factores. Related: la causa (cause — more direct causality) and el elemento (element — member of a set). Factor implies partial causality within a multi-causal explanation, making it the default word for analytical writing.
Common mistake
Factor is a near-cognate used almost identically to English. The false friend risk is subtle: 'factory' = fábrica (not *factoría in general use). Don't confuse factor (partial cause in analysis) with causa (direct cause). 'Risk factor' = factor de riesgo — always this compound, not *factor riesgoso.