Inklingo

How to Say "prudence" in Spanish

English → Spanish

prudencia

proo-DEN-syahpɾuˈden.sja

nounB1general
Use 'prudencia' when referring to making wise, careful decisions or acting with caution in potentially risky situations, like driving or financial matters.
A person carefully testing the stability of a wooden bridge with their foot before crossing a small stream.

Examples

Debes manejar con mucha prudencia cuando hay niebla.

You must drive with great caution when it is foggy.

La prudencia es necesaria antes de tomar una decisión importante.

Prudence is necessary before making an important decision.

Actuó con prudencia y no le contó a nadie el secreto.

He acted with discretion and didn't tell anyone the secret.

Always Feminine

Since this word ends in '-cia,' it is feminine. You should always use 'la' or 'una' with it.

Used as an Adverb

In Spanish, we often say 'con prudencia' (with prudence) instead of using an adverb like 'prudently.' It sounds much more natural.

Prudencia vs. Prudente

Mistake: “Él maneja con prudente.”

Correction: Él maneja con prudencia. (Use the noun 'prudencia' after 'con,' not the adjective 'prudente').

discreción

nounB1general
Use 'discreción' when the focus is on keeping secrets, acting tactfully, or being careful about what you say or do to avoid causing offense or revealing sensitive information.

Examples

Valoro mucho tu discreción con este secreto.

I really value your discretion with this secret.

Distinguishing 'Prudencia' from 'Discreción'

The most common mistake is using 'discreción' for general caution or wise decision-making. Remember that 'discreción' specifically relates to being discreet with information or actions, while 'prudencia' is about foresight and careful judgment in broader situations.

Related Translations

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