crítica
/KREE-tee-kah/
criticism
The noun crítica means criticism or negative judgment.
📝 In Action
Recibió mucha crítica por su decisión de renunciar.
B1She received a lot of criticism for her decision to resign.
La crítica constructiva es importante para mejorar.
B2Constructive criticism is important for improving.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
As a noun meaning 'criticism,' it is always feminine, so you must use 'la crítica' or 'una crítica.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong gender
Mistake: "El crítica fue muy dura."
Correction: La crítica fue muy dura. (Remember 'crítica' is feminine when it's a noun.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Constructive vs. Destructive
To soften the meaning, pair it with 'constructiva' (constructive) or 'destructiva' (destructive) to clarify the intent.
A crítica can also refer to a formal review of a book, film, or play.
📝 In Action
Leí una crítica excelente de la nueva película de terror.
A2I read an excellent review of the new horror movie.
La crítica literaria no entendió el mensaje del autor.
B2The literary review (or: the critics) didn't understand the author's message.
⭐ Usage Tips
Review vs. Criticism
In Spanish, the same word, 'crítica,' is used for both a published review and the act of criticizing someone. Context usually makes it clear which one is meant.
As an adjective, crítica means critical, crucial, or decisive.
📝 In Action
Estamos en una situación crítica debido a la sequía.
B2We are in a critical situation due to the drought.
La paciente está en condición crítica en el hospital.
C1The patient is in critical condition in the hospital.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
When used as an adjective (meaning 'critical' or 'crucial'), it must match the noun it describes. 'Crítica' is the feminine singular form, used with feminine nouns like 'situación' or 'decisión'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong form with masculine nouns
Mistake: "Un momento crítica."
Correction: Un momento crítico. (Use the masculine form 'crítico' with masculine nouns like 'momento'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Emphasis on Seriousness
This adjective is used for high-stakes situations, like medical emergencies, important phases of a project, or decisive moments.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: crítica
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'crítica' as a professional evaluation (a review)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'crítica' always negative?
No, not always. While it often refers to negative judgment (criticism), it can also mean a neutral or positive published review (una crítica de cine) or describe something as crucial or decisive (una situación crítica).
How do I know if 'crítica' is a noun or an adjective?
Look at the words around it. If you see 'la' or 'una' before it, or if it is the subject of the sentence, it is the feminine noun (criticism or review). If it comes after a feminine noun like 'situación' or 'condición,' it is the adjective (critical/crucial) describing that noun.