Spanish word

pertenencia

Pronunciation

IPA/peɾteˈnenθja/

Meaning

  • feminine nounbelongings

Example

¿Dónde están mis pertenencias?

Where are my belongings?

Illustration for pertenencia (belongings)

More examples

¿Puedes vigilar mis pertenencias personales un momento?

Can you watch my personal belongings for a moment?

Core concept

Personal items carried on the person, such as a wallet, keys and phone.

Common phrases

  • pertenencias personales

    personal belongings

  • dejar pertenencias

    leave one's belongings

  • recoger pertenencias

    retrieve belongings

Similar words

posesión: Item or property owned by a person, including money, valuables or household possessions.
objeto: Concrete physical object or article with a definite shape and material presence.
cosa: General unspecified thing or matter without precise form or definition.

Definition in Spanish

Bienes u objetos que alguien tiene o porta; también puede referir la pertenencia a una institución o grupo.

Word origin

From the verb pertenecer, ultimately from Latin pertinēre (per 'through' + tenēre 'to hold') plus the noun-forming suffix -encia, originally meaning the thing that pertains to someone.

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech Spanish speakers often say 'mis cosas' instead of 'mis pertenencias', which sounds more formal and commonly appears in travel, inventory or lost-and-found contexts.

Other meanings

  • membershipnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word