rigor
“rigor” means “harshness” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
harshness, severity
Also: strictness
📝 In Action
Los exploradores no estaban preparados para el rigor del invierno polar.
B2The explorers were not prepared for the harshness of the polar winter.
La ley debe aplicarse con todo su rigor.
B2The law must be applied with its full severity.
El rigor de la disciplina militar es muy conocido.
C1The strictness of military discipline is well known.
precision, thoroughness
Also: rigor
📝 In Action
Este experimento carece de rigor científico.
C1This experiment lacks scientific precision.
El historiador analizó los documentos con gran rigor.
C1The historian analyzed the documents with great thoroughness.
En rigor, esa no es la respuesta correcta.
C2Strictly speaking, that is not the correct answer.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "rigor" in Spanish:
rigor→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: rigor
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence refers to the 'precision' meaning of rigor?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'rigor', which originally meant 'stiffness' or 'numbness' (from the cold). Over time, it evolved to describe the 'stiffness' of rules or the 'precision' of work.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'rigor' always mean something negative like 'harshness'?
No! In academic or scientific contexts, 'rigor' is a very positive quality because it means work is high-quality, accurate, and trustworthy.
Can I use 'rigor' to describe a person?
Not directly. You wouldn't say 'Él es rigor.' You should say 'Él es riguroso' (He is rigorous) or 'Él trabaja con rigor' (He works with rigor).
What is the difference between 'rigor' and 'severidad'?
They are very close. 'Severidad' is usually about someone's personality or a punishment, while 'rigor' is more about the strictness of a system, weather, or the precision of data.