codicia
/koˈdiθja/feminine
Greed in Spanish can be translated as codicia, avaricia or avidez.
Meaning: selfish desire for more than is needed (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| codicia | /koˈdiθja/ /koˈdisja/ |
feminine |
| avaricia | /abaˈɾiθja/ /abaˈɾisja/ |
feminine |
| avidez | /abiˈdeθ/ /abiˈdes/ |
feminine |
All these terms describe a selfish desire for more than is needed, but they are used in different contexts depending on whether you are describing a craving for wealth, a spiritual sin or an intense eagerness.
Which one should you use?
While all terms relate to greed, they have distinct nuances. avaricia is the most common term when specifically referring to greed for money or material possessions. avidez describes a more visceral, intense eagerness or craving, often applied to things like power, knowledge or food. codicia often carries a stronger moral or religious connotation of sinful or illicit excessive desire.
How does it change in a sentence?
All the primary forms provided, codicia, avaricia and avidez, are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/koˈdiθja/
Did you know?
- The word codicia is a distant relative of the name 'Cupid', as both derive from the Latin root for desire.
- When describing a 'greedy' person in a casual way, Spanish speakers often use the word goloso, which specifically refers to a greed for sweets and food.
- The word avidez can be used to describe a positive, intense hunger for things like knowledge or life experiences, not just a negative greed.
Examples in context
- Fui poseído por la avaricia.I was overtaken by greed.This sentence shows how to use avaricia to describe being overtaken by greed.Tatoeba #1529475 by marcelostockle, translation #1521837 by erikspen
- La avidez siempre es mala consejera.Greed is always a bad adviser.This sentence uses avidez to describe greed as a bad adviser.Tatoeba #10226810 by Seael, translation #10613973 by sangelo
- La avaricia es la raíz de todo el mal.Greed is the root of all evil.This sentence demonstrates how avaricia can describe greed as the root of evil.Tatoeba #5243277 by cueyayotl, translation #3834626 by McDutchie
- La avaricia es un vicio peligrosoGreed is a dangerous vice
- La rapacidad de algunas empresas multinacionales socava la igualdad económicaThe greed of some multinational companies undermines economic equality
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are discussing a character in a book.
- JavierLa codicia de ese hombre es increíble.That man's greed is incredible.
- SofíaSí, su codicia lo destruyó.Yes, his greed destroyed him.
- JavierEs una historia sobre la ambición.It is a story about ambition.
- SofíaPero el tema principal es la codicia.But the main theme is greed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “greed” translations and entries codicia, avaricia, avidez, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avaricia, avidez, codicia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
