vanidad
/baniˈdad/feminine
The English word "vanity" is translated into Spanish as vanidad.
vanidad is used to describe the concept of excessive pride in oneself.
Meaning: excessive pride (noun)
Which one should you use?
While vanidad refers specifically to excessive pride in oneself, the word orgullo is the more common term for general pride, which may be either positive or negative.
How does it change in a sentence?
vanidad is a feminine noun and is used with feminine articles and adjectives. If you wish to use the adjective form "vain", use vanidoso for masculine subjects and vanidosa for feminine subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
/baniˈdad/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word vanidad shares a root with vano, which can describe a hollow space in a wall or a window opening. This connects the idea of 'vanity' to something that is literally empty.
- While 'vanity' in English often refers to a dressing table, vanidad cannot be used this way. A Spanish speaker would use tocador to describe the piece of furniture.
- The word vanidad is central to the theme of the 'vanitas' art movement, which used symbols like skulls and rotting fruit to remind viewers of the emptiness of earthly pride.
Examples in context
- Su vanidad no tiene límite.Her vanity knows no bounds.This sentence shows how to describe the extent of someone's vanity using vanidad.Tatoeba #675185 by Shishir, translation #663007 by darinmex
- Las pompas fúnebres son más para la vanidad de los vivos que por el honor de los muertos.Funeral pomp is more for the vanity of the living than for the honor of the dead.This sentence contrasts the vanity of the living with the honor of the dead using vanidad.Tatoeba #3773752 by cueyayotl, translation #3138143 by carlosalberto
- La vanidad y el orgullo son cosas diferentes, aunque usualmente son palabras usadas como sinónimos.Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously.This sentence notes that while vanidad and pride are different, they are often used as synonyms.Tatoeba #1343224 by hayastan, translation #837392 by Scott
- Su vanidad lo ciegaHis vanity blinds him
- La presunción es su mayor defectoVanity is her biggest flaw
- Su soberbia lo aleja de la realidadHis vanity keeps him away from reality
- No soporto su vanagloriaI can't stand his vanity
- Su fanfarronería me cansaHis vanity tires me
- Me molesta su pomposidadHis vanity annoys me
- Nunca he conocido a alguien con tanta vanidad como ella.I've never met someone with as much vanity as her.
- No soporto la presunción de algunas personas.I can't stand the vanity of some people.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a coworker's behavior.
- AlejandroJuan es muy presumido.Juan is very boastful.
- MaríaSí, su vanidad es increíble.Yes, his vanity is incredible.
- AlejandroSiempre quiere ser el centro de atención.He always wants to be the center of attention.
- MaríaEs un hombre muy superficial.He is a very superficial man.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vanity” translations and entries vanidad, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
