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soberanía

so-be-rah-NEE-ah/soβeɾaˈni.a/

“soberanía” means “sovereignty” in Spanish (The power of a country to govern itself.).

sovereignty

Also: supreme power
NounfB2
A colorful storybook illustration of a majestic golden crown resting on a velvet cushion, symbolizing the independent power of a nation.

📝 In Action

El país defendió su soberanía ante la invasión.

B1

The country defended its sovereignty during the invasion.

La soberanía reside en el pueblo.

B2

Sovereignty lies with the people.

Muchos ciudadanos piden más soberanía alimentaria.

C1

Many citizens are asking for more food sovereignty (independence).

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • soberanía nacional – national sovereignty
  • soberanía popular – popular sovereignty
  • violar la soberanía – to violate sovereignty

Idioms & Expressions

  • soberanía del consumidor – The idea that consumers have the ultimate power in a market

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "soberanía" in Spanish:

supreme power→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: soberanía

Question 1 of 3

Which of these is the most likely translation for 'La soberanía nacional'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
soberano(sovereign / ruler) — Noun / Adjective
soberanamente(extremely / sovereignly) — Adverb
soberanismo(movement for independence) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
alegríatiraníagarantía
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Old Spanish word 'soberano', which is based on the Latin word 'superanus' meaning 'chief' or 'principal'. This literally comes from 'super' (above). So, it basically means the power that sits above all others.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: sovereigntyFrench: souverainetéItalian: sovranità

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'soberanía' be used for people?

While usually used for countries, it can be used metaphorically to describe someone who has total control over their own life or body (soberanía personal).

Is it a common word in daily conversation?

It's not as common as 'pan' or 'casa', but you will see it every day in newspapers, political discussions, and history books.

Why is there an accent on the 'í'?

The accent is there to break the 'ia' sound into two syllables (i-a) instead of one quick sound. This ensures the emphasis stays on the 'i'.