escasez
“escasez” means “scarcity” in Spanish (general lack of something).
scarcity
Also: shortage, lack
📝 In Action
Hay una grave escasez de agua en la región.
B1There is a serious water shortage in the region.
La escasez de mano de obra afectó a la construcción.
B2The labor shortage affected the construction industry.
En tiempos de escasez, debemos ahorrar dinero.
C1In times of scarcity, we must save money.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: escasez
Question 1 of 3
Which article should you use with 'escasez'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Derived from the Spanish adjective 'escaso', which comes from the Vulgar Latin 'excarpsus', meaning 'plucked out' or 'selected'. This suggests that something scarce is something that has been 'picked over' until little remains.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plural of 'escasez'?
The plural is 'escaseces'. Notice that the 'z' changes to a 'c' before adding '-es', which is a common rule in Spanish spelling.
Is 'escasez' a formal word?
It is neutral. You can use it in a conversation with friends, but you will see it most often in newspapers, science reports, or political speeches.
How can I remember that 'escasez' is feminine?
Think of other words ending in -ez that describe life stages or qualities, like 'niñez' (childhood) or 'vejez' (old age). They are all 'las'!