potencia
/poh-TEN-syah/
power
Potencia as physical strength or mechanical capacity.
potencia(noun)
power
?physical strength or mechanical capacity
,strength
?ability or force
capacity
?engine output
📝 In Action
El motor de este coche tiene mucha potencia.
B1This car's engine has a lot of power.
Necesitas más potencia para levantar esa caja pesada.
A2You need more strength to lift that heavy box.
La potencia de su voz llenó la sala de conciertos.
B2The power of her voice filled the concert hall.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Reminder
Even though it ends in '-a,' 'potencia' is always a feminine noun, so use 'la potencia' or 'una potencia'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Physical vs. Abstract
You can use 'potencia' for physical things (like engines) or abstract things (like the strength of an argument or the power of an emotion).
Potencia referring to a sovereign state or nation's power.
potencia(noun)
power
?sovereign state or nation
major power
?geopolitical influence
,world power
?global influence
📝 In Action
La nueva potencia económica está emergiendo en Asia.
C1The new economic power is emerging in Asia.
El país fue una potencia militar durante el siglo pasado.
B2The country was a military power during the last century.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Potencia' for Countries
When talking about a powerful country, 'potencia' is the correct term, often paired with an adjective like 'económica' (economic) or 'nuclear' (nuclear).
Potencia defined as the rate of doing work in physics.
potencia(noun)
power
?rate of doing work (physics)
,exponent
?mathematics (raising a number)
index
?mathematics
📝 In Action
La potencia eléctrica se mide en vatios.
C1Electrical power is measured in watts.
Cuatro elevado a la potencia de tres es sesenta y cuatro.
C2Four raised to the power of three is sixty-four.
💡 Grammar Points
Math Usage
In math, you usually say 'elevado a la potencia de...' (raised to the power of...). For example, 'diez a la potencia de cinco' (ten to the power of five).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: potencia
Question 1 of 2
Which meaning of 'potencia' is used when describing a major country?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'potencia' only used for physical strength?
No. While it describes physical capacity (like an engine's power), it is also frequently used for abstract ideas (the power of an idea), political entities (a global power), and technical concepts (electrical power or mathematical exponents).
How is 'potencia' different from 'poder'?
Both mean 'power.' 'Poder' can be a noun (meaning authority or abstract power) or a verb (to be able to). 'Potencia' is exclusively a feminine noun and usually refers to measurable strength, capacity, or a powerful nation.