economía
/eh-koh-noh-MEE-ah/
economy
La economía (economy) describe el sistema financiero nacional o global.
economía(noun)
economy
?The national or global financial system
financial system
?General term for trade and production
📝 In Action
La economía mundial se recupera lentamente después de la crisis.
B1The world economy is recovering slowly after the crisis.
Estudiamos la economía de un país en desarrollo.
B1We are studying the economy of a developing country.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Rule
Like almost all Spanish words that end in -ía (where the 'i' is stressed), 'economía' is a feminine noun, so you always use 'la' before it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong article
Mistake: "El economía"
Correction: La economía. Even though it refers to a large system, it must follow the feminine rule of the word ending.
⭐ Usage Tips
Common Adjective
The most common adjective used with this meaning is 'económico/a' (economic), as in 'problema económico' or 'situación económica'.
La economía (thrift) es la cualidad de usar los recursos con cuidado.
economía(noun)
thrift
?The quality of using money and resources carefully
,savings
?Money saved (often used in plural: 'las economías')
frugality
?Careful use of resources
📝 In Action
Hizo una gran economía al comprar la ropa de segunda mano.
B2She made a great saving/showed great thrift by buying the second-hand clothes.
Debemos practicar la economía en el uso del agua.
B2We must practice careful management in our water usage.
💡 Grammar Points
Personal vs. Global
When referring to a personal act of saving, it often translates better as 'thrift' or 'saving' rather than 'economy' (which usually implies the national system).
⭐ Usage Tips
Use Plural for Money Saved
To talk about the money you've accumulated, you often use the plural: 'Mis economías me permitieron viajar' (My savings allowed me to travel).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: economía
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'economía' in the sense of 'thrift' or 'saving resources'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'economía' ever mean 'cheap'?
No, 'economía' is the noun (the system or the act of saving). If you want to say something is 'cheap' or 'inexpensive,' you must use the adjective 'económico' (or 'barato').
How is 'economía' different from 'ahorro'?
'Economía' can mean the general habit of being careful with money (thrift), while 'ahorro' specifically refers to the money saved or the action of saving money. They are closely related, but 'ahorro' is more specific to the act of setting funds aside.