Inklingo

How to Say "fixation" in Spanish

English → Spanish

obsesión

nounB1general
Use 'obsesión' when referring to an unhealthy, all-consuming mental focus on something or someone, often to an extreme degree.

Examples

Su obsesión por la limpieza es tan fuerte que limpia la casa dos veces al día.

Her obsession with cleanliness is so strong that she cleans the house twice a day.

fijación

nounB1general
Choose 'fijación' for a strong, often persistent, interest or preoccupation with a person or thing, which can range from mild to intense.

Examples

Él tiene una fijación con los videojuegos antiguos.

He has a fixation with old video games.

manía

nounB1general
Use 'manía' to describe a persistent habit, quirk, or peculiar behavior that someone frequently engages in, often unconsciously.

Examples

Tengo la manía de lavarme las manos cada diez minutos.

I have the quirk of washing my hands every ten minutes.

ida

EE-dahˈiða

nounB2informal
Employ 'ida' to describe a sudden, often irrational, mental state, preoccupation, or peculiar outburst.
A simple cartoon character sitting on the ground, completely surrounded by identical, brightly colored toy tops. The character is holding one top and staring at it with intense, fixed focus.

Examples

A veces le dan unas idas muy raras.

Sometimes she has some very strange fits/outbursts.

Tiene una ida con ese coche viejo, no lo quiere vender.

He has a fixation on that old car; he doesn't want to sell it.

Figurative Meaning

In this sense, 'ida' suggests a momentary mental 'trip' or deviation from normal thinking. It is typically used in the plural, 'idas', when referring to strange behavior.

fijación

nounB2technical/formal
Use this sense of 'fijación' when referring to a specific biological or chemical process, or the act of setting or establishing something, like prices.

Examples

La fijación de los precios depende del mercado.

The setting of prices depends on the market.

Obsesión vs. Fijación

Learners often confuse 'obsesión' and 'fijación'. Remember that 'obsesión' implies a more intense, potentially unhealthy, and all-consuming mental state. 'Fijación' is generally milder, referring to a strong interest or preoccupation without the same level of negativity or compulsion.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.