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How to Say "force" in Spanish

English → Spanish

fuerza

/FWER-sah//ˈfweɾ.θa/

NounA2General
Use 'fuerza' for general physical power, strength, influence, or a collective group like the military or police.
A strong person straining to lift a large, heavy grey boulder high above their head, demonstrating physical strength.

Examples

La fuerza del viento era increíble.

The force of the wind was incredible.

No tengo la fuerza para levantar esa caja.

I don't have the strength to lift that box.

El viento soplaba con mucha fuerza.

The wind was blowing with a lot of force.

Para abrirlo, tienes que hacer fuerza.

To open it, you have to use force.

Always Feminine

Fuerza is a feminine word, so you'll always pair it with feminine words like 'la', 'una', 'mucha', or 'poca'. For example, 'la fuerza' (the strength) or 'mucha fuerza' (a lot of strength).

Usually Plural

When talking about military or police groups, you'll almost always see this word in its plural form: 'las fuerzas'.

violencia

/byo-LEN-sya//bjoˈlensja/

NounB1General
Use 'violencia' specifically when referring to aggressive physical action, brutality, or undue pressure.
A high quality storybook illustration of a small, sad figure sitting alone on the floor, hugging their knees. A large, jagged crack runs down the brightly colored wall behind them, symbolizing trauma or harm.

Examples

La película mostraba mucha violencia.

The movie showed a lot of violence.

La policía actuó con violencia para dispersar la manifestación.

The police acted with violence to disperse the demonstration.

Hay que combatir la violencia de género con educación y leyes estrictas.

Gender violence must be fought with education and strict laws.

La violencia de la tormenta causó daños severos en la costa.

The intensity of the storm caused severe damage on the coast.

Feminine Noun Rule

Even though it ends in '-a', remember 'violencia' is a feminine noun, so you must use the feminine article 'la' or adjectives that end in '-a' with it.

Gender Error

Mistake:El violencia

Correction: La violencia. Remember abstract nouns ending in '-cia' are almost always feminine.

cuerpo

/KWER-po//'kweɾpo/

NounB2Formal/Organizational
Use 'cuerpo' when referring to an organized group or body of people, such as the police force or fire department.
A group of three stylized firefighters in full uniform standing together as a unified team.

Examples

El cuerpo de policía llegó rápidamente.

The police force arrived quickly.

El cuerpo de bomberos respondió a la emergencia.

The fire department (fire corps) responded to the emergency.

El cuerpo docente se reunió para discutir los nuevos planes.

The teaching staff (faculty body) met to discuss the new plans.

furia

FOO-ree-ah/ˈfuɾja/

NounB2Figurative/Intense
Use 'furia' to describe the intense, wild, or destructive power of natural phenomena like storms or earthquakes.
A powerful, turbulent ocean wave crashing forcefully against a dark rock formation under a stormy sky, symbolizing the raw intensity of nature.

Examples

La furia de la tormenta causó daños.

The force (fury) of the storm caused damage.

La furia del huracán dejó la costa devastada.

The force (or fury) of the hurricane left the coast devastated.

El atleta corrió con furia para alcanzar la meta.

The athlete ran with intense speed/intensity to reach the finish line.

Figurative Use

When applied to nature (wind, sea, storm), 'furia' emphasizes the destructive and uncontrolled power, similar to how we use 'fury' in English literary contexts.

Fuerza vs. Cuerpo

Learners often confuse 'fuerza' and 'cuerpo' when referring to groups like the police. Remember that 'fuerza' can mean a collective group in a broader sense (like 'armed forces'), but 'cuerpo' is more specific for organized bodies like the police or fire department.

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