lascivia
/lasθibja/from spelling rules
The English word lewdness is translated into Spanish as lascivia.
lascivia refers to the quality of being lewd or lustful.
Meaning: promiscuity (noun)
Which one should you use?
While lascivia refers to the quality of being lewd or lustful, it is often used in a more literary or formal sense than the common word lujuria (lust).
How does it change in a sentence?
lascivia is a feminine noun. The adjective form of the noun is lascivo (masculine) or lasciva (feminine).
How do you pronounce it?
/lasθibja/
Did you know?
- The Latin ancestor of lascivia, lascīvus, originally described someone who was 'sportive' or 'playful' rather than strictly sexual.
- While lascivia describes lewdness, the word lujuria is specifically one of the seven deadly sins in Catholic tradition. This gives lujuria a moral and theological weight that lascivia lacks in modern usage.
- Spanish distinguishes between lascivia (lewdness) and libertinaje (licentiousness). While lascivia focuses on the desire, libertinaje describes the lack of moral restraint or the social excess of that desire.
Examples in context
- Su comportamiento se considera una indecencia en cualquier sociedad.His behavior is considered indecent in any society.
- No me gusta su humor lleno de vulgaridad.I don't like his humor filled with lewdness.
- La lascivia es un tema complejo.Lewdness is a complex subject.
- No toleramos la lascivia en este club.We do not tolerate lewdness in this club.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are discussing a controversial historical novel.
- JavierEste libro es demasiado explícito.This book is too explicit.
- SofíaSí, se centra demasiado en la lascivia.Yes, it focuses too much on lewdness.
- JavierNo aporta nada a la trama.It doesn't add anything to the plot.
- SofíaEstoy de acuerdo contigo, Javier.I agree with you, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lascivia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
