vacío de poder
/baθio de podeɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase power vacuum is translated into Spanish as vacío de poder.
vacío de poder is used in political and journalistic contexts to describe a situation where a government or leader has collapsed, leaving no authority behind.
Meaning: lack of political authority (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation where vacío means 'vacuum' or 'void' and de poder means 'of power'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, you pluralize the noun vacío to vacíos while keeping de poder unchanged, resulting in vacíos de poder.
How do you pronounce it?
/baθio de podeɾ/
Did you know?
- The word vacío is used as a culinary term to describe a specific cut of beef from the flank, often served as a grilled steak in Argentina and Uruguay.
- The word poder is a direct relative of the English word 'potent', as both stem from the Latin concept of being able to do something.
- The noun poder is used in legal contexts to mean a 'power of attorney' or the legal right to act on someone else's behalf.
Examples in context
- El vacío de poder ha generado inestabilidad política en la región.The power vacuum has generated political instability in the region.
- El país sufrió un vacío de poder.The country suffered a power vacuum.
- Tememos un vacío de poder tras la crisis.We fear a power vacuum after the crisis.
- Un vacío de poder puede causar caos.A power vacuum can cause chaos.
Example conversation
Two political analysts are discussing a recent government collapse.
- SofíaJavier, ¿crees que habrá un vacío de poder?Javier, do you think there will be a power vacuum?
- JavierEs muy probable, Sofía.It is very likely, Sofía.
- SofíaEse vacío de poder me preocupa mucho.That power vacuum worries me a lot.
- JavierA todos nos preocupa la situación actual.The current situation worries all of us.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
