Spanish word

realidad

Pronunciation

IPA/realiˈðað/

Meaning

  • feminine nounreality

Example

La realidad es diferente de lo que imaginaba.

Reality is different from what I imagined.

Illustration for realidad (reality)

More examples

Hay que adecuarse a la realidad para seguir adelante.

One must adapt to reality to move forward.

Core concept

The state of things independent of beliefs or wishes.

Common phrases

  • la dura realidad

    harsh reality

  • adecuarse a la realidad

    adapt to reality

  • alejarse de la realidad

    drift away from reality

Similar words

hecho: Occurs as a specific event or incident that takes place in the real world.
verdad: Expresses the quality of being true or conforming to the facts.
situación: Describes the state of affairs at a particular time or place.
circunstancia: Describes the conditions and surrounding factors that influence how events occur.

Definition in Spanish

Estado o conjunto de hechos tal como existen, independientemente de las ideas, expectativas o deseos.

Word origin

Formed from the adjective real (Latin realis "real") plus the suffix -idad (from Latin -itas), with realis tracing back to res "thing".

Usage tips

  • Spanish uses en realidad (no article) to mean 'actually' or 'in fact', while en la realidad refers more literally to a reality and is less common in everyday speech.

Other meanings

  • actualitynoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word