deficiencia
“deficiencia” means “deficiency” in Spanish (a shortage or lack of something necessary).
deficiency
Also: shortcoming, impairment
📝 In Action
La deficiencia de vitaminas puede causar cansancio.
A2A vitamin deficiency can cause tiredness.
El plan tiene algunas deficiencias técnicas que debemos arreglar.
B1The plan has some technical shortcomings that we need to fix.
Existen leyes para ayudar a personas con deficiencia visual.
B2There are laws to help people with visual impairment.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: deficiencia
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is the most natural way to say 'vitamin deficiency'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'deficientia', which comes from 'deficere', meaning 'to fail' or 'to be lacking'.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'falta' and 'deficiencia'?
'Falta' is a general word for 'lack' used in everyday life. 'Deficiencia' is more formal and often implies that the lack is causing a problem or a failure in a system.
Can I use 'deficiencia' to describe a person's character?
It is better to avoid it unless you are speaking in a very clinical or formal way. To describe a person's weak points socially, 'defectos' or 'puntos débiles' is more common.
How do I make 'deficiencia' plural?
Simply add an '-s' to the end: 'las deficiencias'.