efectuar

to carry out

verb eh-fehk-TWAHR Less Common

Origin: From Latin effectuare, from effectus (effect, result).

Also means

to perform

Usage Note

Efectuar is a formal register verb meaning to execute or carry out an action, widely used in official, legal, and journalistic writing (efectuar un pago, efectuar una llamada). It is interchangeable with realizar or llevar a cabo in most contexts, but efectuar sounds more bureaucratic. The stress falls on the a: efec-TU-ar, and it conjugates like other -uar verbs with a written accent on the ú in certain forms (efectúo, efectúas).

Examples

"El banco efectuó la transferencia ayer."

Natural Translation

The bank carried out the transfer yesterday.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

You're Welcome in Spanish: Beyond De Nada

You're welcome in Spanish is more than de nada. Learn con gusto, no hay de qué, a la orden and more — and which to use by region and how formal the moment is.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

The Spanish Cheek Kiss: Greeting Etiquette by Country

Two kisses in Spain, one in most of Latin America. Master the Spanish cheek kiss greeting — which cheek first, the air-kiss mechanics, and when to shake hands.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Ser vs. Estar: When to Use Each in Spanish

Ser vs estar made simple: how you feel and where you are use estar, everything else uses ser. Master the rule, the exceptions, and the traps that flip meaning.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Numbers 1-100: Count, Spell & Pronounce

Spanish numbers 1 to 100 are a system, not a list: three patterns build every number. Master the spelling, the accent rule, and how to say prices fast.

June 9, 2026 6 min read