licencia
“licencia” means “license” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:
license
Also: permit
📝 In Action
Perdí mi licencia de conducir en el viaje.
A1I lost my driver's license on the trip.
Necesitas una licencia para abrir un restaurante.
A2You need a license to open a restaurant.
permission
Also: authorization
📝 In Action
El profesor dio licencia a los estudiantes para usar sus apuntes.
B1The professor gave the students permission to use their notes.
Con licencia poética, el escritor cambió la historia original.
C1Using poetic license, the writer changed the original story.
leave of absence
Also: sabbatical, furlough
📝 In Action
El empleado solicitó una licencia médica por tres meses.
B2The employee requested three months of medical leave.
Ella está de licencia por maternidad.
B2She is on maternity leave.
software license
Also: licensing agreement
📝 In Action
Asegúrate de leer la licencia de usuario antes de instalar el programa.
C1Make sure you read the user license before installing the program.
Compramos una licencia corporativa para todos los equipos.
C1We bought a corporate license for all the computers.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "licencia" in Spanish:
authorization→furlough→license→licensing agreement→permission→permit→sabbatical→software license→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: licencia
Question 1 of 2
¿Cuál es el significado de 'licencia' en la frase: 'El jefe está de licencia por tres semanas'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin 'licentia,' which originally meant 'freedom' or 'liberty.' Over time, this evolved to mean 'freedom granted by authority,' leading directly to our modern sense of 'permission' or 'a formal document of authorization.'
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'licencia' and 'permiso'?
'Licencia' often refers to a formal, legally recognized document (like a driver's license), or a long-term, official authorization (like medical leave). 'Permiso' is usually used for simpler, everyday permission or a short-term pass (like asking if you can leave the table).
I heard 'licenciado' used as a title. Is that related?
Yes! 'Licenciado' (or 'Licenciada' for a woman) is a title used in many Spanish-speaking countries for someone who has completed a university degree (a 'licenciatura'). It implies they are 'licensed' to practice their profession.