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ausencia

ow-SEN-see-ahau̯ˈsen.sja

“ausencia” means “absence” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

absence

Also: non-attendance, leave
NounfA1
An empty wooden swing set standing alone in a sunny, green park, illustrating the concept of absence.

📝 In Action

Su ausencia en la clase fue notoria, nadie sabía dónde estaba.

A1

Her absence from class was noticeable; no one knew where she was.

Pidió una semana de ausencia por motivos personales.

A2

She requested a week of leave for personal reasons.

La ausencia de mi jefe me permitió terminar el proyecto en paz.

B1

My boss's absence allowed me to finish the project in peace.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • falta (lack)
  • incomparecencia (failure to appear)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • licencia de ausencia – leave of absence
  • justificar una ausencia – to excuse an absence

lack

Also: non-existence
NounfB1formal
Mexico
A large, rustic wooden basket sitting on a simple table, containing only one small red apple, signifying a lack or shortage.

📝 In Action

La ausencia de interés en el tema fue evidente en la sala.

B1

The lack of interest in the topic was evident in the room.

Necesitamos actuar ante la ausencia de una ley clara.

B2

We need to act given the lack of a clear law.

El médico relacionó los síntomas con la ausencia de ciertas vitaminas.

C1

The doctor related the symptoms to the deficiency of certain vitamins.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • ausencia de pruebas – lack of evidence
  • ausencia total – total lack

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "ausencia" in Spanish:

lack→leave→non-attendance→non-existence→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: ausencia

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'ausencia' in the sense of 'a lack or shortage' (B1 level)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
ausente(absent) — Adjective
ausentar(to absent oneself) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin word *absentia*, meaning 'a being away'. It shares its root with many similar words in other European languages.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: ausênciaItalian: assenzaFrench: absence

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Frequently Asked Questions

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'ausencia' y 'falta'?

Both mean 'lack' or 'absence'. 'Ausencia' often feels more formal and emphasizes a state of being away or a void. 'Falta' is very common and general, meaning 'shortage' or 'fault'. For example, you can say 'falta de respeto' (lack of respect) or 'ausencia de respeto'—both are correct, but 'ausencia' is more formal.