crisis
/KREE-sis/
crisis
A general difficulty or turning point is often called a crisis.
crisis(noun)
crisis
?General difficulty or turning point
,slump
?Economic difficulty
recession
?Economic situation
,breakdown
?Emotional or mental state
📝 In Action
El país está atravesando una crisis económica muy profunda.
B1The country is going through a very deep economic crisis.
Mi hermana tuvo una crisis de ansiedad antes de su examen.
B1My sister had an anxiety attack (crisis) before her exam.
Necesitamos nuevas ideas para salir de esta crisis.
A2We need new ideas to get out of this crisis.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Rule
Even though 'crisis' ends in '-s', it is a feminine noun, so you must always use 'la' or 'una' before it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Plural Form Error
Mistake: "Las crisises"
Correction: Las crisis. This noun is special because the plural form is exactly the same as the singular. Only the article ('la' or 'las') changes.
⭐ Usage Tips
Common Verb
The most common verb used with 'crisis' is 'atravesar' (to go through) or 'superar' (to overcome).
When a situation or illness reaches a critical turning point, it is a crisis.
crisis(noun)
turning point
?In an illness or situation
seizure
?Medical context (e.g., epileptic crisis)
📝 In Action
Los médicos esperan que la crisis de la enfermedad llegue esta noche.
C1The doctors expect the turning point of the illness to arrive tonight.
Fue una crisis de fe lo que lo llevó a cambiar de vida.
B2It was a crisis of faith that led him to change his life.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: crisis
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the plural form of 'crisis'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'crisis' is singular or plural?
You must look at the word that comes before it. If it is 'la' or 'una', it is singular. If it is 'las' or a plural number (like 'dos'), it is plural. The word itself looks the same either way.
Is 'crisis' always a bad thing?
Not always! While it usually refers to a difficult time (economic crisis), its original meaning is a 'turning point' or 'decision.' In medicine, a crisis can mean the moment a patient starts to get better.