Skip to content

facto

fact

noun FAHK-toh Rare

Origin: Latin factum, 'something done'

Usage Note

Facto almost always appears in the set phrase de facto (as opposed to de jure), meaning 'in practice' or 'in fact' regardless of formal status — a gobierno de facto is one that holds power without legal legitimacy. Outside this phrase, the standalone noun is rare in modern Spanish.

Examples

"Es el líder de facto del partido."

Natural Translation

He is the de facto leader of the party.

Explore Spanish by topic