Learn Hardcore Spanish (Latin America): Según ese criterio, mi nuevo sueldo traerá más estabilidad a mi vida. - According to that criterion, my new salary will bring more stability to my life.

In English it means according to that criterion. según is a preposition that introduces the source or basis of an opinion or judgment. It’s followed by a noun phrase: según mi profesor, según tus necesidades, etc.

Why is ese used with criterio, and what’s the difference between este, ese and aquel?

These are demonstrative adjectives:

este = “this” (close to speaker)
ese = “that” (close to listener or just mentioned)
aquel = “that over there” (far from both)
Here ese criterio refers to a criterion already mentioned or agreed upon.

Can I use opinión instead of criterio?

They overlap but have nuances. criterio implies a standard or principle used to judge or decide, while opinión is more like a personal view. You could say según esa opinión, but it shifts the meaning from a rule/standard to a subjective perspective.

What’s the difference between sueldo and salario?

Both mean salary. In Latin America, sueldo is very common for a fixed periodic pay, while salario can be synonymous or sometimes implies a minimum wage or daily rate. They’re generally interchangeable in everyday speech.

Why is the verb traerá in the future tense? Could I say va a traer?

traerá is the simple future (“it will bring”). You can also say va a traer, which is the periphrastic future and widely used in conversation. Both express future action.

Why is there a before mi vida in traerá más estabilidad a mi vida?

Spanish uses a to mark the indirect object or recipient. Here mi vida is the “recipient” of stability. Without a, the sentence would sound incomplete.

Why isn’t there an article before más estabilidad (e.g. la estabilidad)?

When talking about adding a general quality or concept, Spanish typically omits the article: traer estabilidad, traer más trabajo. You’d use la estabilidad only if referring to a specific, previously mentioned stability.

Could I use a different verb instead of traer to talk about adding stability?

Yes. You could say aportará (“will contribute”), dará (“will give”), or mejorará (“will improve”). traer emphasizes introducing or bringing something new into one’s life.

Why is it mi nuevo sueldo instead of just el nuevo sueldo?

Using mi specifies whose salary you mean and adds a personal touch. You could say el nuevo sueldo if the context makes it clear you’re talking about your own salary, but mi nuevo sueldo sounds more natural for personal experience.