civilización
/θibiliθaˈθjon/feminine
The English word "civilization" is translated into Spanish as civilización.
civilización refers to an organized culture.
Meaning: organized culture (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
As a feminine noun, civilización must be preceded by the feminine article la rather than el. The plural form of the word is civilizaciones.
How do you pronounce it?
/θibiliθaˈθjon/
Did you know?
- Spanish speakers use the word civilizado to describe someone with good manners or a 'civilized' table manner, regardless of their nationality or culture.
- The verb civilizar can be used in Spanish to describe the process of training a wild animal or taming a rugged landscape, not just educating humans.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, civilización can be used ironically to describe an urban area that has replaced nature, often implying a loss of purity or peace.
Examples in context
- El islam es una civilización.Islam is a civilization.This sentence is useful for identifying Islam as a civilization using civilización.Tatoeba #8258787 by fpp, translation #8258093 by Amastan
- Se ha extendido la civilización occidental.Western civilization has expanded.This sentence is useful for describing the expansion of Western civilization using civilización.Tatoeba #7715969 by arh, translation #12269603 by Miktsoanit
- Se conocen pocas ruinas de esta civilización.There aren't many known ruins from this civilization.This sentence is useful for discussing the ruins belonging to a civilization using civilización.Tatoeba #1315130 by marcelostockle, translation #1315255 by marcelostockle
- La civilización romana dejó un legado duradero en el arte y la arquitectura.Roman civilization left a lasting legacy in art and architecture.
- La civilización azteca dejó un legado cultural significativo en México.The Aztec civilization left a significant cultural legacy in Mexico.
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are discussing a history documentary at a cafe.
- Sofía¿Te interesa la historia de la civilización maya?Are you interested in the history of the Mayan civilization?
- DanielSí, es una civilización fascinante.Yes, it is a fascinating civilization.
- SofíaDaniel, deberíamos ver ese documental juntos.Daniel, we should watch that documentary together.
- DanielMe parece un plan excelente, Sofía.That sounds like an excellent plan, Sofía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “civilization” translations and entries civilización, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
