Spanish word

dependencia

Pronunciation

IPA/depenˈdenθja/

Meaning

  • feminine noundependence

Example

La dependencia del móvil es común.

Dependence on mobile phones is common.

Illustration for dependencia (dependence)

More examples

Sufre una dependencia emocional de su pareja.

He suffers from an emotional dependence on his partner.

Core concept

Reliance on another for resources or support.

Common phrases

  • dependencia del móvil

    mobile phone dependence

  • dependencia emocional

    emotional dependence

  • dependencia económica

    economic dependence

Similar words

necesidad: Basic requirement necessary for living or daily functioning.
dependencia económica: Dependence on others for income or financial support.
adicción: Compulsive, hard-to-control craving for a substance or behavior.
apego: Strong emotional attachment that makes separation difficult.

Definition in Spanish

Situación en que una persona, objeto o institución no es autónoma porque depende de otra para recursos, apoyo o control; además puede nombrar una oficina o dependencia administrativa.

Word origin

From Latin dependēre (de- 'from' + pendēre 'to hang'), through Spanish depender plus the noun-forming suffix -encia to mean the state of depending.

Usage tips

  • Can mean either the personal state of dependence or an administrative office (una dependencia), so context or modifiers such as 'municipal' or 'ministerio' indicate the agency sense.

Other meanings

  • dependencynoun
  • government agencynoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word