Inklingo

How to Say "strength" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “strength” is “fuerza” — use this word for physical strength or power, like the ability to lift or move heavy objects..

fuerza🔊A2

Use this word for physical strength or power, like the ability to lift or move heavy objects.

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fortaleza🔊B1

Choose this for emotional or mental resilience, like enduring hardship or recovering from a setback.

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potencia🔊B1

Use this for inherent power, ability, or force, often applied to machines, engines, or abstract capabilities.

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virtud🔊B1

This refers to a positive quality or a strong point, especially when discussing advantages or beneficial characteristics.

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fuerte🔊B2

Use this informal term to describe someone's area of expertise or a skill they excel at.

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acero🔊C1

This metaphorically means mental or moral toughness, often implying resilience and fortitude under pressure.

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hierro🔊C1

This is a figurative term for rigidity, willpower, or determination, sometimes used poetically.

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English → Spanish

fuerza

/FWER-sah//ˈfweɾ.θa/

nounA2general
Use this word for physical strength or power, like the ability to lift or move heavy objects.
A strong person straining to lift a large, heavy grey boulder high above their head, demonstrating physical strength.

Examples

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).

fortaleza

for-tah-LEH-sah/foɾtaˈleθa/

nounB1general
Choose this for emotional or mental resilience, like enduring hardship or recovering from a setback.
A small, resilient bright green sapling growing vigorously and pushing its way up through a large, cracked piece of dry, brown earth, symbolizing resilience.

Examples

Mostró gran fortaleza después de perder su trabajo.

She showed great strength after losing her job.

Su fortaleza mental le ayudó a superar la enfermedad.

His mental fortitude helped him overcome the illness.

Una de sus fortalezas es su habilidad para hablar en público.

One of his strengths is his ability to speak publicly.

Necesitas identificar tus fortalezas y debilidades para mejorar.

You need to identify your strengths and weaknesses in order to improve.

Fortaleza vs. Fuerza

Use 'fuerza' (force) for physical power or effort ('levantar pesas'). Use 'fortaleza' for emotional, moral, or mental strength.

Plural Form

This meaning is very often used in the plural form, 'fortalezas', especially when doing a personal assessment or evaluation.

Mixing Strength Types

Mistake: “Necesito mucha fuerza mental.”

Correction: Necesito mucha fortaleza mental. (Use 'fortaleza' when talking about mental/emotional strength, not physical force 'fuerza'.)

potencia

/poh-TEN-syah//poˈten.sja/

nounB1general
Use this for inherent power, ability, or force, often applied to machines, engines, or abstract capabilities.
A cartoon depiction of a massive, muscular arm easily lifting a large, heavy boulder with one hand, symbolizing physical strength.

Examples

El motor de este coche tiene mucha potencia.

This car's engine has a lot of power.

Necesitas más potencia para levantar esa caja pesada.

You need more strength to lift that heavy box.

La potencia de su voz llenó la sala de conciertos.

The power of her voice filled the concert hall.

Gender Reminder

Even though it ends in '-a,' 'potencia' is always a feminine noun, so use 'la potencia' or 'una potencia'.

virtud

/beer-TOOD//biɾˈtuð/

nounB1general
This refers to a positive quality or a strong point, especially when discussing advantages or beneficial characteristics.
A bright, juicy red apple standing out among several dull grey rocks.

Examples

La principal virtud de este coche es su bajo consumo.

The main quality of this car is its low fuel consumption.

Ese plan tiene la virtud de ser muy simple.

That plan has the advantage of being very simple.

fuerte

/FWER-teh//ˈfweɾte/

nounB2informal
Use this informal term to describe someone's area of expertise or a skill they excel at.
An illustration of a chef standing next to a perfect, highly decorative tiered cake that is clearly their specialty, illuminated by a spotlight.

Examples

La organización no es mi fuerte, soy más creativo.

Organization isn't my strong suit, I'm more creative.

El fuerte de nuestro restaurante es la comida tradicional.

The strength of our restaurant is the traditional food.

acero

ah-SEH-roh/aˈθeɾo/

nounC1figurative
This metaphorically means mental or moral toughness, often implying resilience and fortitude under pressure.
A small, sturdy green sapling growing successfully out of a fissure in a large, gray rock, symbolizing resilience.

Examples

Tuvo que demostrar su acero frente a las críticas de la prensa.

He had to show his mettle (strength/resilience) in the face of press criticism.

Mantenía una mirada de acero, sin mostrar miedo.

She maintained a steely gaze, without showing fear.

Figurative Use

When used figuratively, 'acero' often appears after the preposition 'de' (of) to describe a quality: 'una persona de acero' (a person of steel/a very tough person).

hierro

YAIR-roh/ˈje.ro/

nounC1figurative
This is a figurative term for rigidity, willpower, or determination, sometimes used poetically.
A straight, silver medieval sword with a simple crossguard and handle, standing upright.

Examples

El caballero desenvainó su hierro y se preparó para la batalla.

The knight unsheathed his sword (his iron) and prepared for battle.

Necesitas tener nervios de hierro para ser un buen negociador.

You need to have nerves of steel (nerves of iron) to be a good negotiator.

Fuerza vs. Fortaleza

Learners often confuse 'fuerza' and 'fortaleza'. Remember 'fuerza' is primarily for physical power (A2), while 'fortaleza' refers to mental or emotional resilience (B1). Don't use 'fuerza' for inner toughness.

Related Translations

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