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equilibrio

e-ki-LEE-bree-oh/e.kiˈli.βɾjo/

“equilibrio” means “balance” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

balance

Also: equilibrium
NounmA2
A tall stack of three smooth, colorful stones perfectly balanced on top of each other.

📝 In Action

Perdí el equilibrio en la cuerda floja y me caí.

A2

I lost my balance on the tightrope and fell.

Necesitas un buen equilibrio para patinar sobre hielo.

A1

You need good balance to ice skate.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • estabilidad (stability)
  • aplomo (poise)

Antonyms

  • desequilibrio (imbalance)

Common Collocations

  • mantener el equilibrio – to maintain balance
  • perder el equilibrio – to lose balance

composure, calmness

Also: mental balance
NounmB1
A person sitting calmly in a meditative pose on a tiny floating island in the middle of smooth, still water.

📝 In Action

Necesita encontrar su equilibrio emocional después de la ruptura.

B1

She needs to find her emotional balance after the breakup.

Su equilibrio mental le permitió manejar la crisis con calma.

B2

His mental composure allowed him to handle the crisis calmly.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • serenidad (serenity)
  • paz (peace)

Common Collocations

  • equilibrio emocional – emotional balance
  • recuperar el equilibrio – to regain composure

stability, harmony

Also: balance point
NounmB2formal
A perfectly straight and level wooden bridge crossing a calm stream, symbolizing stability.

📝 In Action

Es difícil lograr un equilibrio entre el trabajo y la vida personal.

B2

It is difficult to achieve a balance between work and personal life.

La deforestación rompió el equilibrio ecológico de la región.

C1

Deforestation broke the ecological balance of the region.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • armonía (harmony)
  • estabilidad (stability)

Common Collocations

  • punto de equilibrio – break-even point (finance)
  • equilibrio de poder – balance of power

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: equilibrio

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'equilibrio' in its abstract, non-physical sense?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
equilibrar(to balance) — Verb
equilibrado(balanced) — Adjective
desequilibrio(imbalance) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
delirioimperio
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Latin words *aequus* (meaning 'equal') and *libra* (meaning 'scale' or 'balance'). It literally describes a perfectly level weighing scale.

First recorded: 15th century (Spanish)

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: equilibrioPortuguese: equilíbrioFrench: équilibre

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Frequently Asked Questions

¿Cómo se dice 'work-life balance' en español?

The most common and natural way to say 'work-life balance' is 'el equilibrio entre la vida personal y el trabajo' or simply 'el equilibrio laboral'.

Can I use 'balance' instead of 'equilibrio'?

Be careful! The Spanish word 'balance' usually means a 'financial statement' or a 'summary/tally' (like a verb). To talk about physical or emotional stability, you must use 'equilibrio'.