inseguridad
“inseguridad” means “insecurity” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
insecurity, self-doubt
Also: uncertainty
📝 In Action
Tengo mucha inseguridad cuando hablo español en público.
A2I feel a lot of insecurity when I speak Spanish in public.
La inseguridad emocional es común durante la adolescencia.
B1Emotional insecurity is common during adolescence.
Para superar tu inseguridad, debes confiar más en tus habilidades.
B2To overcome your self-doubt, you must trust your skills more.
lack of safety, danger
Also: instability
📝 In Action
Hay mucha inseguridad en esta calle por la noche.
A2There is a lot of lack of safety on this street at night.
La inseguridad ciudadana es el mayor problema del país.
B1Public safety concerns are the country's biggest problem.
La inseguridad jurídica ahuyenta a los inversores extranjeros.
C1The lack of legal certainty scares away foreign investors.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "inseguridad" in Spanish:
danger→insecurity→instability→self-doubt→uncertainty→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: inseguridad
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly describes a dangerous neighborhood?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From Latin 'insecuritas'. It combines the prefix 'in-' (meaning 'not') with 'securitas' (meaning 'freedom from care' or 'safety'). It’s the direct opposite of being secure.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'inseguridad' to mean a place is physically broken?
No. 'Inseguridad' refers to the risk of danger or crime, or a lack of confidence. If a bridge is physically falling down, you would say it is 'peligroso' (dangerous) or 'poco firme' (unstable).
Is 'inseguridad' the same as 'incertidumbre'?
They are close! 'Inseguridad' is more about a lack of safety or confidence, while 'incertidumbre' is specifically about not knowing what will happen in the future.
How do I say 'I am insecure'?
You use the adjective: 'Soy inseguro' (if you are male) or 'Soy insegura' (if you are female). You can also say 'Siento inseguridad' (I feel insecurity).