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diferencias

dee-feh-REHN-see-ahs/difeˈɾensjas/

“diferencias” means “differences” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

differences

Also: disagreements, distinctions
NounfA1
A visual comparison showing a bright red square next to a bright blue circle, highlighting their dissimilar shapes and colors.

📝 In Action

Hay muchas diferencias culturales entre España y México.

A2

There are many cultural differences between Spain and Mexico.

Ellos tienen algunas diferencias pequeñas sobre cómo decorar la casa.

B1

They have some small disagreements about how to decorate the house.

¿Puedes explicar las diferencias entre usar 'ser' y 'estar'?

A1

Can you explain the differences between using 'ser' and 'estar'?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • desigualdades (inequalities)
  • distinciones (distinctions)

Antonyms

  • similitudes (similarities)
  • igualdades (equalities)

Common Collocations

  • marcar las diferencias – to highlight the differences
  • resolver diferencias – to settle disagreements

Idioms & Expressions

  • sacar a relucir las diferencias – to bring up old disagreements or sore spots

you differentiate

Also: you distinguish
VerbB1regular ar
A small storybook character wearing a green shirt holding a magnifying glass and intently examining two apples to find the subtle distinction between them.
infinitivediferenciar
gerunddiferenciando
past Participlediferenciado

📝 In Action

¿Cómo diferencias un buen vino de uno malo?

B1

How do you distinguish a good wine from a bad one?

Tú diferencias muy bien los sonidos de los pájaros.

B2

You differentiate the sounds of the birds very well.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • distingues (you distinguish)
  • separas (you separate)

Antonyms

  • igualas (you equalize)

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/usteddiferencia
yodiferencio
túdiferencias
ellos/ellas/ustedesdiferencian
nosotrosdiferenciamos
vosotrosdiferenciáis

imperfect

él/ella/usteddiferenciaba
yodiferenciaba
túdiferenciabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesdiferenciaban
nosotrosdiferenciábamos
vosotrosdiferenciabais

preterite

él/ella/usteddiferenció
yodiferencié
túdiferenciaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesdiferenciaron
nosotrosdiferenciamos
vosotrosdiferenciasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/usteddiferencie
yodiferencie
túdiferencies
ellos/ellas/ustedesdiferencien
nosotrosdiferenciemos
vosotrosdiferenciéis

imperfect

él/ella/usteddiferenciara
yodiferenciara
túdiferenciaras
ellos/ellas/ustedesdiferenciaran
nosotrosdiferenciáramos
vosotrosdiferenciarais
View All Tenses & Moods →

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: diferencias

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'diferencias' as a plural noun?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
graciasencias
📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin word *differentia*, meaning 'a difference' or 'a disparity.' It has been part of Spanish since its early days, keeping its original meaning clear and strong.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: differenceFrench: différencesPortuguese: diferenças

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if 'diferencias' is a noun or a verb?

If it is preceded by a word like 'las,' 'muchas,' or 'estas,' it is almost certainly the plural noun (differences). If it follows the pronoun 'tú' (or is implied), it is the verb form meaning 'you distinguish.'