principal
adjectiveCEFR B2High frequency
What does “principal” mean in English?
1.prime, principal — most important; first in rank or significance
prime, principal — most important; first in rank or significance (obstáculo principal, causa principal)
2.principal, main — most important or foremost in a hierarchy
principal, main — most important or foremost in a hierarchy (el objetivo principal, la razón principal)
3.principal, main — first in order of importance
principal, main — first in order of importance (not sequence); invariable in gender; 'la causa/razón/objetivo principal'
Example sentences
El principal obstáculo para la firma del acuerdo fue la negativa de una de las partes a aceptar las condiciones de verificación.
The main obstacle to signing the agreement was the refusal of one party to accept the verification conditions.
La formación del profesorado es la principal palanca de mejora del sistema educativo, según la mayoría de los expertos.
Teacher training is the main lever for improving the educational system, according to most experts.
How to use it
Principal means 'main, principal' — most important; first in rank or significance. Common collocations: causa principal, objetivo principal, obstáculo principal, ventaja principal, actor principal. Ser: always ser. Also used as noun: el/la principal = the principal (headteacher, or main party in a contract).
Common mistake
Principal ≠ primario: principal = most important overall; primario = first in a structural hierarchy or classification. 'La causa principal' = the predominant cause; 'el objetivo primario' = the first-order goal in a staged process.