Inklingo

How to Say "addiction" in Spanish

English → Spanish

adicción

nounB1
Use 'adicción' when referring to a strong physical or psychological dependency on a substance or activity, like drugs, alcohol, or gambling.

Examples

La adicción al azúcar es un problema muy común.

Sugar addiction is a very common problem.

dependencia

deh-pehn-DEN-syahdepenˈdenθja

nounB1
Use 'dependencia' when talking about a reliance or need for something, which can be a substance but also something abstract like a country's reliance on imports.
A small baby bird in a nest opening its beak wide while its mother feeds it a worm.

Examples

Muchos países quieren reducir su dependencia del petróleo.

Many countries want to reduce their dependency on oil.

La dependencia emocional no es saludable en una pareja.

Emotional dependency is not healthy in a relationship.

El paciente sufre de una fuerte dependencia a la nicotina.

The patient suffers from a strong addiction to nicotine.

Using the right connector

In Spanish, we usually use the word 'de' (of/from) after 'dependencia' to show what someone relies on, whereas English uses 'on'.

Don't say 'en'

Mistake: “Su dependencia en el café.”

Correction: Su dependencia del café (de + el).

vicio

BEE-syohˈbisjo

nounA2informal
Use 'vicio' for a bad habit or something you are 'hooked' on in a more casual or less serious way, often referring to minor indulgences or repetitive negative behaviors.
A colorful storybook illustration of a person sitting on a sofa, surrounded by empty snack bags and candy wrappers.

Examples

Morderse las uñas es un mal vicio.

Biting your nails is a bad habit.

El juego se convirtió en un vicio para él.

Gambling became a vice for him.

No puedo dejar de ver esta serie, ¡es puro vicio!

I can't stop watching this series, it's so addictive!

Using 'vicio' with Verbs

When describing a specific habit, use 'vicio de' followed by a verb that ends in -ar, -er, or -ir (the infinitive), like 'el vicio de fumar'.

The Gender of Vicio

This word is masculine, so always use 'el' or 'un'. Even if the person with the habit is female, the word itself stays 'el vicio'.

Vicio vs. Culpa

Mistake: “Using 'vicio' to mean a mistake was your fault.”

Correction: Use 'culpa' for blame. 'Vicio' refers to the habit itself, not the responsibility for an error.

Adicción vs. Vicio vs. Dependencia

Learners often confuse 'adicción' and 'vicio'. Remember that 'adicción' implies a serious, often harmful dependency, while 'vicio' is for less severe habits or 'bad practices'. 'Dependencia' is broader and can refer to reliance rather than a compulsive need.

Related Translations

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