obediencia
“obediencia” means “obedience” in Spanish (the act of following orders or rules).
obedience
Also: compliance
📝 In Action
El perro fue a una escuela de obediencia.
A2The dog went to an obedience school.
Debemos actuar en obediencia a las leyes vigentes.
B1We must act in obedience to the current laws.
La obediencia ciega puede ser peligrosa en algunas situaciones.
B2Blind obedience can be dangerous in some situations.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: obediencia
Question 1 of 3
Which article should you use with 'obediencia'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'oboedientia', which comes from 'ob-audire' (literally 'to listen toward someone').
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'obediencia' used for legal compliance?
Yes, but 'cumplimiento' is also very common in legal and business settings. 'Obediencia' often implies a hierarchy, like a soldier to a captain or a pet to an owner.
Does it sound formal?
It is a neutral word. While it is used in formal documents, it is perfectly normal to use it when talking about children or pets.
How do I pronounce the 'c' in 'obediencia'?
If you are in Spain, it sounds like 'th'. In Latin America, it sounds like 's'.