How to Say "virtue" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “virtue” is “cualidad” — use 'cualidad' when referring to a specific, positive characteristic or talent that someone possesses, which might not necessarily be a moral trait but rather a skill or a desirable personal attribute.
cualidad
kwah-lee-dahdkwa.liˈðað
Examples
La paciencia es su mejor cualidad.
Patience is her best quality.
Buscamos a un candidato con cualidades de liderazgo.
We are looking for a candidate with leadership qualities.
Esta madera tiene la cualidad de ser muy resistente al agua.
This wood has the quality of being very water-resistant.
Always Feminine
In Spanish, words that end in '-dad' (like cualidad, felicidad, or ciudad) are always feminine. You should always use 'la' or 'una' with them.
Plural Form
To make this word plural, just add '-es' to the end: 'las cualidades'.
Cualidad vs. Calidad
Mistake: “Using 'cualidad' to talk about the 'high quality' of a product.”
Correction: Use 'calidad' for the standard or excellence of a product (e.g., 'ropa de alta calidad'). Use 'cualidad' only for characteristics or character traits.
virtud
beer-TOODbiɾˈtuð
Examples
La paciencia es una virtud muy necesaria en este trabajo.
Patience is a very necessary virtue in this job.
Es una persona de gran virtud y principios.
They are a person of great virtue and principles.
Feminine Ending in -d
Words ending in -d are usually feminine in Spanish. Use 'la' for one and 'las' for many.
Making it Plural
To talk about more than one virtue, add '-es' to the end: 'las virtudes'.
moralidad
mo-rah-lee-dahdmoɾaliˈðad
Examples
Muchos se preocupan por la moralidad de la inteligencia artificial.
Many people worry about the morality of artificial intelligence.
Sus acciones demostraron una falta de moralidad.
His actions showed a lack of morality.
La moralidad varía entre diferentes culturas del mundo.
Morality varies among different cultures in the world.
The '-dad' Ending
Words ending in '-dad' are almost always feminine. Always use 'la' or 'una' with this word.
Using the Article
Unlike English, Spanish usually uses 'la' before 'moralidad' when talking about it as a general concept. Example: 'La moralidad es importante' (Morality is important).
Gender Error
Mistake: “El moralidad es necesaria.”
Correction: La moralidad es necesaria. (Because it ends in -dad, it is feminine.)
Confusing with 'Moral'
Mistake: “Me preocupa su moralidad de trabajo.”
Correction: Me preocupa su ética de trabajo. (Use 'moralidad' for general right/wrong; use 'ética' for professional settings or 'moral' for mood/spirit.)
honra
OHN-rahˈon.ra
Examples
Ese escándalo manchó la honra de su familia.
That scandal stained his family's reputation.
Es un hombre de mucha honra y palabra.
He is a man of great honor and integrity.
Ella defendió su honra ante las acusaciones falsas.
She defended her honor against the false accusations.
Gender and Articles
This is a feminine naming word. Even though it starts with a silent 'h,' you always use 'la' or 'una' (la honra).
Honra vs. Honor
While similar, 'honra' often refers to the public 'face' or reputation you have in your community, whereas 'honor' is often more about your internal principles.
Confusing with the Verb
Mistake: “Using 'honra' when you mean 'to honor' (the action).”
Correction: Use 'honrar' for the action. 'Honra' is the thing you have, not the thing you do.
Virtud vs. Cualidad
Related Translations
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