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soledad

/soh-leh-DAHD/

loneliness

A small child sitting alone on a large, empty wooden bench in a vast, muted green field, looking down sadly, symbolizing isolation.

Soledad, meaning 'loneliness', is captured by the feeling of being isolated and sad.

soledad(Noun)

fA2

loneliness

?

The sad feeling of being alone or isolated.

Also:

isolation

?

The state of being separated from others.

📝 In Action

Después de la mudanza, sintió una profunda soledad.

A2

After the move, she felt a profound loneliness.

La soledad puede ser difícil de manejar si no tienes amigos.

B1

Loneliness can be hard to manage if you don't have friends.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • aislamiento (isolation)
  • tristeza (sadness)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • sentir soledad – to feel lonely
  • combatir la soledad – to fight loneliness

💡 Grammar Points

A Noun, Not an Adjective

Remember that 'soledad' is the noun (loneliness), not the adjective (lonely). To say 'I am lonely,' use the adjective 'solo/sola': 'Estoy sola.'

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'ser' vs. 'estar'

Mistake: "Soy solo/a. (Incorrectly implies being a lonely person by nature.)"

Correction: Estoy solo/a. (Correctly implies a temporary feeling or state of being alone.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Expressing Deep Loneliness

Use verbs like 'sufrir' (to suffer) or 'sentir una profunda' (to feel a profound) before 'soledad' to emphasize the intensity of the feeling.

A serene adult sitting cross-legged on a large grey rock overlooking a calm blue mountain lake at sunrise, representing peaceful contemplation.

Soledad also translates to 'solitude', representing the peaceful, desired state of being alone for reflection.

soledad(Noun)

fB1

solitude

?

The state of being alone, often desired for peace or concentration.

Also:

seclusion

?

The physical state of being away from others.

📝 In Action

Busco la soledad de la montaña para escribir.

B1

I seek the solitude of the mountain to write.

La soledad autoimpuesta le permitió meditar.

C1

The self-imposed solitude allowed him to meditate.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • disfrutar de la soledad – to enjoy solitude
  • momentos de soledad – moments of solitude

💡 Grammar Points

The Tone of Soledad

While 'loneliness' is the most common meaning, 'soledad' can also describe a positive, peaceful state of being alone, similar to the English 'solitude.'

⭐ Usage Tips

Context is Key

If you are describing a beautiful, isolated place, 'soledad' usually means 'solitude.' If you are describing an emotion, it usually means 'loneliness.'

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: soledad

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'soledad' to express a positive, desired state?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

solo/a(alone (adjective)) - adjective
solitario/a(solitary) - adjective
solito/a(all alone (diminutive)) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'soledad' a common name for people?

Yes, Soledad is a traditional and common Spanish feminine name. It is often a shortened version of María de la Soledad, referring to the Virgin Mary's 'solitude' or sorrow after Christ's death.

What is the difference between 'soledad' and 'solo'?

'Soledad' is a noun, meaning the state or feeling itself (loneliness/solitude). 'Solo/sola' is an adjective, meaning 'alone.' You use 'solo' to describe a person ('Estoy solo'), and 'soledad' to describe the feeling ('Siento soledad').