A simple storybook illustration of a person sitting and intensely focusing on a single large red apple held in their hands. Many smaller, identical red apples are floating around the person's head, forming a persistent swirling cloud, symbolizing a strong, persistent preoccupation.

obsesión

ohb-seh-SYOHN

nounfB1

obsession?strong, persistent preoccupation,fixation?mental focus

Also:craze?popular interest or fad,preoccupation?something that consumes your thoughts

📝 In Action

Su obsesión por la limpieza es tan fuerte que limpia la casa dos veces al día.

Her obsession with cleanliness is so strong that she cleans the house twice a day.

La nueva serie de televisión se ha convertido en una obsesión para todos mis amigos.

The new TV series has turned into a craze for all my friends.

Hizo de la salud de su hijo una obsesión, revisando cada síntoma.

She made her son's health a fixation, checking every symptom.

Word Connections

Synonyms

fijación (fixation)
manía (mania/habit)

Antonyms

indiferencia (indifference)

Common Collocations

tener una obsesión con/por – to have an obsession with
volverse una obsesión – to become an obsession

💡 Grammar Points

Gender and Plural

As a feminine noun, you must use 'la' before it (la obsesión). To make it plural, simply add -es (las obsesiones).

Connecting the Focus

When you say what the obsession is about, you usually use the prepositions 'con' or 'por': 'obsesión con el trabajo' or 'obsesión por el orden'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Wrong Preposition

Mistake: "Mi obsesión de los zapatos."

Correction: Mi obsesión con los zapatos. (Use 'con' or 'por' to connect the idea.)

⭐ Usage Tips

The related verb

The verb form is 'obsesionarse' (to become obsessed). You can say 'Se obsesionó con su nuevo proyecto'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: obsesión

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'obsesión'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

obsesionar(to obsess) - verb

obsesivo/a(obsessive) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'obsesión' y 'manía'?

'Obsesión' usually refers to a deep, consuming thought or fixation that is difficult to stop. 'Manía' is often lighter and means a strange habit, quirk, or a strong preference, like 'Tengo la manía de tocarme el pelo' (I have the habit of touching my hair).