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diplomacia

dee-plo-mah-syah/diploˈmasja/

“diplomacia” means “diplomacy” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

diplomacy

Also: statecraft
NounfB2formal
Two people in formal suits shaking hands in front of a variety of colorful flags.

📝 In Action

La diplomacia es necesaria para evitar los conflictos.

A1

Diplomacy is necessary to avoid conflicts.

El presidente confía en la diplomacia internacional.

B1

The president trusts in international diplomacy.

Se requieren años de estudio para entrar en la carrera de diplomacia.

C1

Years of study are required to enter a career in diplomacy.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • relaciones internacionales (international relations)
  • negociación (negotiation)

Antonyms

  • beligerancia (belligerence/war-like state)
  • hostilidad (hostility)

Common Collocations

  • cuerpo diplomático – diplomatic corps
  • diplomacia preventiva – preventive diplomacy
  • misión de diplomacia – diplomatic mission

tact, diplomacy

Also: finesse
NounfB1
A person gently offering a warm cup of tea to a friend who looks upset.

📝 In Action

Ella usó su diplomacia para calmar a su jefe.

A2

She used her diplomacy to calm her boss down.

Hay que tener diplomacia al dar malas noticias.

B1

One must have tact when giving bad news.

Su falta de diplomacia le causó problemas con los vecinos.

B2

His lack of diplomacy caused him problems with the neighbors.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • rudeza (rudeness)
  • brusquedad (abruptness/roughness)

Common Collocations

  • con mucha diplomacia – with a lot of tact
  • falta de diplomacia – lack of tact

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "diplomacia" in Spanish:

diplomacy→finesse→statecraft→tact→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: diplomacia

Question 1 of 3

If two countries are trying to avoid a war by talking, what are they using?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
diplomático(diplomatic (male)) — Adjective
diplomática(diplomatic (female)) — Adjective
diplomáticamente(diplomatically) — Adverb
🎵 Rhymes▼
democraciagraciaaristocracia
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Greek word 'diploma', which meant a folded paper or official document. Eventually, it came to mean the skill of handling these documents and the relations they represented between countries.

First recorded: 18th century (in its modern sense)

Cognates (Related words)

English: diplomacyFrench: diplomatieItalian: diplomazia

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'diplomacia' the same as 'tacto'?

Very similar! 'Tacto' is usually for personal, everyday situations, while 'diplomacia' can be used for personal tact OR for official government business.

Can I use 'diplomacia' to refer to my university degree?

No. For your certificate or degree paper, use 'el diploma'. 'La diplomacia' is only for the act of negotiation or the quality of being tactful.

How do I say 'He is diplomatic'?

You would use the adjective form: 'Él es diplomático'. Use 'diplomacia' when you want to talk about the concept itself (e.g., 'He has diplomacy').