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pertenencia

per-te-nen-syah/peɾteˈnensja/

“pertenencia” means “belonging” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

belonging, membership

Also: affiliation
NounfB1
A group of diverse children sitting in a circle, holding hands and smiling at each other.

📝 In Action

El sentido de pertenencia es vital para el éxito del equipo.

B1

The sense of belonging is vital for the team's success.

Ella siente una fuerte pertenencia a su comunidad local.

B2

She feels a strong belonging to her local community.

Necesitas mostrar tu carné para demostrar tu pertenencia al club.

B1

You need to show your ID card to prove your membership in the club.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • afiliación (affiliation)
  • integración (integration)

Antonyms

  • exclusión (exclusion)
  • ajenidad (the state of being foreign/unconnected)

Common Collocations

  • sentido de pertenencia – sense of belonging
  • lugar de pertenencia – place where one belongs
  • grupo de pertenencia – peer group / group to which one belongs

ownership, pertaining to

Also: possession
NounfB2formal
A person holding a small house and a key in their hands.

📝 In Action

La pertenencia de estas tierras ha sido debatida por años.

C1

The ownership of these lands has been debated for years.

El museo reclama la pertenencia del cuadro.

B2

The museum claims ownership of the painting.

Se debe verificar la pertenencia de los objetos encontrados.

B2

The ownership of the found objects must be verified.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • propiedad (property/ownership)
  • posesión (possession)

Antonyms

  • desposesión (dispossession)

Common Collocations

  • pertenencia legal – legal ownership
  • pertenencia del suelo – land ownership

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: pertenencia

Question 1 of 3

Which phrase is the best way to say 'a sense of belonging'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'pertinentia', which comes from 'pertinere' (to reach out to or to belong to). It is built from 'per-' (thoroughly) and 'tenere' (to hold).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: pertinenceFrench: appartenanceItalian: appartenenza

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'pertenencia' the same as 'propiedad'?

They are close, but 'propiedad' usually refers to the thing you own (like a house), while 'pertenencia' refers to the fact or feeling of belonging to it or owning it.

When should I use the plural form?

Use 'pertenencias' (plural) whenever you mean 'my stuff' or 'personal effects.' Use 'pertenencia' (singular) for 'membership' or 'the state of belonging.'

Does it have a verb form?

Yes! The verb is 'pertenecer' (to belong).