Afecta

Afecta is the third-person singular present indicative form of the Spanish verb afectar, which has several related meanings in everyday usage. The core sense is to produce an effect on something or someone, i.e., to influence, change, or modify. For example, “La sequía afecta la producción agrícola” or “La noticia afectó a la comunidad,” where the subject causes an impact on another element or group.

Affectar also covers emotional or perceptual influence: “La historia me afecta” means to touch or move someone emotionally, or to have a personal impact. In social or medical contexts, one may say that a population or an organ is affected by a condition, as in “el grupo queda afectado por la crisis” or “la enfermedad afecta a varios pacientes.”

In addition, afectar can mean to pretend or to adopt a certain manner or appearance. This use is seen in phrases like “afectar un tono de seriedad” or “el actor afectó un acento francés,” where the verb conveys adopting behavior or style, sometimes with a sense of insincerity or performance.

Etymology and related forms: afectar proviene del latín affectāre, de afficere, con el sentido básico de dirigir atención o producir un efecto. Related terms include afecto (afecto emocional), afectación (acto de fingir o de la emoción producida) y afectable (algo susceptible de ser afectado). Afecta, como forma verbal, se emplea en multitud de contextos que van desde lo técnico a lo coloquial.