carencia
“carencia” means “lack” in Spanish (general shortage of something necessary).
lack
Also: shortage, deficiency, waiting period
📝 In Action
Muchos niños en el mundo sufren de una carencia de hierro.
B1Many children in the world suffer from a iron deficiency.
La falta de inversión provocó una carencia de recursos en la escuela.
B2The lack of investment caused a shortage of resources at the school.
El seguro tiene un periodo de carencia de seis meses para cirugías.
C1The insurance has a six-month waiting period for surgeries.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "carencia" in Spanish:
waiting period→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: carencia
Question 1 of 3
Which word is more appropriate when talking to a doctor about a vitamin deficiency?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'carentia', which comes from 'carere', meaning 'to be without' or 'to be free from'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'carencia' the same as 'pobreza'?
Not exactly. While 'pobreza' (poverty) is a general state of not having money, 'carencia' refers to the specific lack of a particular thing, like 'carencia de vivienda' (lack of housing).
Can I use 'carencia' as a verb?
No, 'carencia' is a noun. If you want to use a verb, you should use 'carecer' (to lack).
Is 'carencia' a common word in spoken Spanish?
It is less common than 'falta' in street Spanish, but you will hear it constantly in news reports, medical offices, and financial discussions.