Spanish Conversation · Level 77
60 words
Spanish word
imprudencia
Pronunciation
IPA/impɾuˈðenθja/
Meaning
- feminine nouncarelessness
Example
Su imprudencia causó el accidente.
Her carelessness caused the accident.
More examples
Cometió una imprudencia y perdió la oportunidad de trabajo.
He committed a careless act and lost the job opportunity.
Core concept
Stepping into traffic while distracted by a phone.
Common phrases
cometer una imprudencia
commit a careless act
una imprudencia grave
a serious act of carelessness
Similar words
descuido: Has a short lapse of attention that produces minor errors or forgotten items.
distracción: Has attention pulled elsewhere, interrupting focus on the current task.
inatención: Does not pay attention to the surroundings, so hazards or changes go unnoticed.
Definition in Spanish
Falta de cuidado o precaución al actuar que puede provocar daño o peligro.
Word origin
From Latin im- 'not' plus prudentia 'prudence', originally meaning the absence of prudence and used for actions lacking the care or precaution that can cause danger or harm.
Usage tips
- Sounds formal and blameful, so for small mistakes Spanish speakers often say un descuido or me distraje while reserving imprudencia for serious or reportable faults.
Other meanings
- rashnessnoun
Opposites
- prudenciaprudencenoun
- precaucióncautionnoun
Related words
- imprudenteimprudentadjective
- imprudentementeimprudentlyadverb