suciedad
“suciedad” means “dirt” in Spanish (general presence of dust or grime).
dirt, dirtiness
Also: filth
📝 In Action
No me gusta la suciedad en la cocina.
A1I don't like the dirt in the kitchen.
Es difícil quitar la suciedad de estas botas.
A2It is hard to remove the dirt from these boots.
La suciedad acumulada en las calles es un problema para la ciudad.
B1The accumulated dirt on the streets is a problem for the city.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: suciedad
Question 1 of 3
Which article should you use with 'suciedad'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'sucidus,' which originally meant 'juicy' or 'oily,' referring to the natural grease found in wool. Over time, the meaning shifted from 'oily' to 'dirty.'
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'suciedad' pluralized?
Rarely. Just like in English we don't usually say 'dirts,' in Spanish we usually stick to the singular 'suciedad' to describe a dirty state.
What's the difference between 'polvo' and 'suciedad'?
'Polvo' specifically means 'dust.' 'Suciedad' is a broader word that covers dust, mud, stains, and anything that makes something not clean.
Can 'suciedad' be used for a dirty joke?
Not usually. For a 'dirty joke,' Spanish uses the adjective 'sucio' (un chiste sucio) or 'colorado' (a red joke).