Spanish word

deficiencia

Pronunciation

IPA/defiˈθjenθja/

Meaning

  • feminine noundeficiency

Example

Tengo una deficiencia de hierro.

I have an iron deficiency.

Illustration for deficiencia (deficiency)

More examples

Una deficiencia nutricional puede afectar el rendimiento diario.

A nutritional deficiency can affect daily performance.

Core concept

A nearly empty fuel gauge making a vehicle sputter.

Common phrases

  • deficiencia de hierro

    iron deficiency

  • deficiencia de vitaminas

    vitamin deficiency

  • deficiencia nutricional

    nutritional deficiency

Similar words

falta: General absence or shortfall of something that is expected or needed.
carencia: Lack of essential goods or nutrients needed for health or basic living.
insuficiencia: Organ or bodily system failing to perform its expected function.
déficit: Numerically measured shortfall against a standard, budget, or target.

Definition in Spanish

Estado de carencia que indica que falta una cantidad o una cualidad necesaria en una persona, objeto o sistema.

Word origin

From Latin deficientia, from deficere 'to fail, be lacking' (de- 'away' plus facere 'do/make') yielding the idea of a shortfall or insufficiency.

Usage tips

  • For measurable shortfalls (budgets, counts) Spanish commonly uses déficit, while deficiencia favors lacks of substances, abilities, or qualities.

Other meanings

  • insufficiencynoun
  • shortcomingnoun

Opposites

  • suficienciasufficiencynoun
  • excesoexcessnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word