Spanish word

menester

Pronunciation

IPA/menesˈteɾ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounneed

Example

No es menester que vengas.

There is no need for you to come.

Illustration for menester (need)

More examples

No es menester preocuparse por eso.

There is no need to worry about that.

Core concept

A necessity required to carry out a task.

Similar words

necesidad: A basic state of being needed that drives choices or actions.
falta: A shortage or missing quantity of something necessary.
obligación: An obligation to act arising from laws, duties, or societal norms.

Definition in Spanish

Necesidad o falta que se considera imprescindible para una función o tarea; suele aparecer en construcciones impersonales.

Word origin

From Latin ministerium 'service, duty', menester develops by extending the idea 'what a service or duty requires' into the abstract notion of an indispensable need.

Usage tips

  • This noun is formal and appears mainly in impersonal constructions (for example, es menester or es menester que + subjunctive), while everyday speech prefers hacer falta or ser necesario.

Other meanings

  • lacknoun

Word lists with this word