Inklingo

How to Say "strength" in Spanish

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

fuerza🔊A2

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

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potencia🔊B1

This term refers to the power or force generated by something, like a machine, or a general capacity for action.

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fortaleza🔊B1

Choose this for mental or emotional resilience, the capacity to withstand hardship or difficult situations.

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vigor🔊B1

Use this to describe physical energy, vitality, or robustness, often implying a lively and active state.

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intensidad🔊B1

This refers to the degree or magnitude of force or power, often used for physical phenomena like light or sound.

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virtud🔊B1

Use this to describe a specific positive quality or a strong point, especially in the context of skills or features.

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fuerte🔊B2

This is used colloquially to mean an area of expertise or a particular skill that someone excels at.

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músculoB2

This is a figurative term used to describe financial or political power and influence.

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acero🔊C1

This refers to mental or moral toughness, implying resilience and an unyielding character.

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hierro🔊C1

Used metaphorically to signify rigidity, willpower, or sometimes as a direct (though archaic) reference to a weapon.

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English → Spanish

fuerza

FWER-sahˈfweɾ.θa

nounA2general
Use this word for physical strength, the ability to exert physical power or lift 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).

potencia

poh-TEN-syahpoˈten.sja

nounB1general
This term refers to the power or force generated by something, like a machine, or a general capacity for action.
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'.

fortaleza

for-tah-LEH-sahfoɾtaˈleθa

nounB1general
Choose this for mental or emotional resilience, the capacity to withstand hardship or difficult situations.
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'.)

vigor

bee-GOHRbiˈɡoɾ

nounB1general
Use this to describe physical energy, vitality, or robustness, often implying a lively and active state.
A vibrant, energetic young plant sprouting with strong green leaves and a thick stem.

Examples

El abuelo todavía camina con mucho vigor cada mañana.

Grandpa still walks with a lot of strength every morning.

La nueva ley de tráfico entrará en vigor el próximo mes.

The new traffic law will come into force next month.

Debemos defender este proyecto con vigor para convencer al jefe.

We must defend this project with energy to convince the boss.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in 'r', 'vigor' is always a masculine noun. You must use masculine markers like 'el vigor' or 'mucho vigor'.

Using 'en vigor' without an article

When talking about laws or rules, we say 'en vigor' (in effect). You don't need to add 'el' in the middle; saying 'en el vigor' would sound unnatural to native speakers.

Confusion with 'vigencia'

Mistake: “La ley no tiene vigor.”

Correction: La ley no está en vigor / La ley no tiene vigencia.

intensidad

een-ten-see-DAHDinten-siˈðad

nounB1general
This refers to the degree or magnitude of force or power, often used for physical phenomena like light or sound.
A bright flashlight shining a powerful, concentrated beam of light into the dark.

Examples

La luz brilla con mucha intensidad.

The light shines with great intensity.

Entrenamos con intensidad para ganar el partido.

We trained with intensity to win the game.

Me sorprendió la intensidad de sus sentimientos.

I was surprised by the intensity of her feelings.

The '-dad' Rule

Spanish words ending in '-dad' are always feminine. This means you should always use 'la' or 'una' with this word (la intensidad).

Making it Plural

When a word ends in a consonant like 'd', you add '-es' to make it plural: 'las intensidades'.

Gender confusion

Mistake: “el intensidad”

Correction: la intensidad. Remember that words ending in -dad are feminine, just like 'la ciudad' or 'la verdad'.

virtud

beer-TOODbiɾˈtuð

nounB1general
Use this to describe a specific positive quality or a strong point, especially in the context of skills or features.
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-tehˈfweɾte

nounB2informal
This is used colloquially to mean an area of expertise or a particular skill that someone excels 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.

músculo

nounB2figurative
This is a figurative term used to describe financial or political power and influence.

Examples

La empresa mostró su músculo financiero con la nueva compra.

The company showed its financial muscle with the new purchase.

acero

ah-SEH-rohaˈθeɾo

nounC1figurative
This refers to mental or moral toughness, implying resilience and an unyielding character.
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-rohˈje.ro

nounC1figurative
Used metaphorically to signify rigidity, willpower, or sometimes as a direct (though archaic) reference to a weapon.
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

The most common mistake is confusing 'fuerza' (physical strength) with 'fortaleza' (mental/emotional strength). Remember that 'fuerza' is for lifting weights, while 'fortaleza' is for enduring challenges.

Related Translations

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