discapacidad
/diskapaθiˈdad/feminine
The English word 'handicap' is translated into Spanish as discapacidad. Wiktionary also lists minusvalía.
Meaning: disadvantage, in particular physical or mental disadvantages of people (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| discapacidad | /diskapaθiˈdad/ /diskapasiˈdad/ |
feminine |
| minusvalía | /minusbalia/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
The term is used to describe a disadvantage, specifically the physical or mental disadvantages experienced by people.
Which one should you use?
While discapacidad is the standard and most common term for a physical or mental disability, minusvalía is a more technical or formal term often used in legal, administrative or sociological contexts to describe an impairment or disadvantage.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both discapacidad and minusvalía are feminine nouns and require feminine articles, such as la or las.
How do you pronounce it?
/diskapaθiˈdad/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the literal translation impedimento to mean a physical disability. In Spanish, impedimento usually refers to a legal or procedural obstacle.
Did you know?
- The word minusvalía is used in Spanish finance to describe a loss in the value of an asset or an investment. This gives the word a mathematical and economic nuance that is absent from its use in physical or social contexts.
- While discapacidad is the standard term, some regions use capacidades diferentes as a euphemism to imply that the person has 'different abilities' rather than a lack of them.
- The term minusvalía literally translates to 'lesser value', coming from minus meaning 'less' and valía meaning 'worth'.
Examples in context
- A pesar de su discapacidad, Tom ganó la carrera.Tom won the race despite his handicap.This sentence shows how to use discapacidad to describe someone winning a race despite their condition.Tatoeba #10022327 by Shishir, translation #8544132 by Ergulis
- El joven invidente ha superado su discapacidad.The blind young man has overcome his handicap.This sentence illustrates the use of discapacidad when discussing someone overcoming a condition.Tatoeba #1997466 by zahurdias, translation #1996969 by FrankeeD
- Tengo una discapacidadI have a handicap
- El edificio cuenta con facilidades para personas con discapacidadThe building has facilities for people with disabilities
- Esta condición puede causar una limitación en sus habilidades motorasThis condition can cause a limitation in your motor skills
- Mi hermano tiene un impedimento físico, pero eso no le impide ser felizMy brother has a physical handicap, but that doesn't stop him from being happy
- La lesión de mi rodilla es una desventaja para jugar al fútbolThe injury to my knee is a handicap for playing soccer
- La discapacidad no debe ser un impedimento.A disability should not be an impediment.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are discussing accessibility at a new library.
- MateoEste edificio es muy accesible para cualquier discapacidad.This building is very accessible for any disability.
- ElenaSí, Mateo, tiene rampas y ascensores modernos.Yes, Mateo, it has ramps and modern elevators.
- MateoEs importante que todos puedan entrar sin problemas.It is important that everyone can enter without problems.
- ElenaTienes razón, la inclusión es fundamental aquí.You are right, inclusion is fundamental here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “handicap” translations and entries discapacidad, minusvalía, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
