Spanish word

autonomía

Pronunciation

IPA/awtonoˈmia/

Meaning

  • feminine nounautonomy

Example

Es importante que cada persona tenga autonomía para tomar sus decisiones.

It is important that each person has autonomy to make their own decisions.

Illustration for autonomía (autonomy)

More examples

Tener autonomía personal ayuda a establecer límites con los demás.

Having personal autonomy helps establish boundaries with others.

Core concept

Ability to decide and act independently.

Common phrases

  • autonomía personal

    personal autonomy

  • autonomía financiera

    financial autonomy

Similar words

independencia: State of not depending on others to make or carry out decisions.
libertad: Freedom to act or express oneself without external constraints.
autosuficiencia: Ability to meet practical needs using one's own resources.
autodeterminación: Power to decide one's own future or major collective choices.

Definition in Spanish

Capacidad de una persona o entidad para decidir y actuar por sí misma sin depender de otros.

Word origin

From Greek auto- 'self' plus nomos 'law', entering Spanish through medieval Latin autonomia and originally meaning self-rule.

Usage tips

  • Autonomía applies to people, organizations, and political regions, so phrases like autonomía personal or comunidad autónoma clarify whether it means individual independence or regional self-government.

Other meanings

  • self-governmentnoun
  • independencenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • autónomoautonomousadjective
  • autónomamenteautonomouslyadverb

Word lists with this word