Spanish Conversation · Level 119
60 words
Spanish word
codiciar
Pronunciation
IPA/koðiˈθjaɾ/
Meaning
- verbcovet
Example
Ella codicia la atención de todos.
She covets everyone's attention.
More examples
No conviene codiciar lo que pertenece a otros.
It is not advisable to covet what belongs to others.
Core concept
A covetous craving to possess something someone else has, including attention or status.
Similar words
querer: Want something casually or routinely, expressing general desire without force.
desear: Have a powerful wish to obtain something, marked by urgency and intensity.
envidiar: Feel jealous and bitter about another person's possessions or advantages.
anhelar: Yearn continuously for something, sustaining longing over an extended period.
Definition in Spanish
Tener un deseo muy intenso por algo, con la implicación de querer poseerlo incluso si es de otra persona.
Word origin
The word traces to Latin cupidus and the noun cupiditas, with medieval Latin cupiditare evolving into Old Spanish codiciar and giving the verb a selfish, eager sense.
Usage tips
- In everyday Spanish codiciar commonly collocates with la atención, la posición social, or las posesiones and implies unfairness, making it stronger than querer or desear.
Other meanings
- craveverb
- desireverb
Opposites
- contentarsebe contentverb
Related words
- codiciacovetousnessnoun
- codiciosocovetousadjective
- codiciosamentecovetouslyadverb