la perdición
/la peɾdiθjon/from spelling rules
The English word 'doom' is translated into Spanish as la perdición.
la perdición is used to describe a state of spiritual or moral ruin, or a catastrophic end.
Meaning: undesirable fate (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The noun perdición is derived from the verb perder, which means 'to lose'. It carries the sense of loss, ruin or perdition.
How do you pronounce it?
/la peɾdiθjon/
Did you know?
- While perdición describes an ultimate doom, the phrase ser la perdición de alguien is often used playfully to describe a 'temptation' or a 'weakness', such as a delicious dessert being one's perdición.
- The word perdición is a cognate of the English word 'perdition', though 'perdition' is now rare in English while perdición remains common in daily Spanish.
- While 'doom' in English often feels heavy and inevitable, in Spanish, the word perdición can imply a choice or a path one has actively taken toward ruin.
Examples in context
- Su ambición fue su perdición.His ambition was his doom.
- La ambición puede ser la perdición de un hombre.Ambition can be a man's ruin.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are discussing a risky business decision.
- AlejandroInvertir todo el dinero es la perdición.Investing all the money is doom.
- MaríaNo seas tan pesimista, Alejandro.Don't be so pessimistic, Alejandro.
- AlejandroSolo quiero evitar nuestra perdición financiera.I just want to avoid our financial doom.
- MaríaTienes razón, busquemos otro plan.You're right, let's find another plan.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, perdición, CC BY-SA 4.0.
