audacia

audacity, boldness

noun ow-DAH-syah Rare

Origin: From Latin audacia, from audax (bold).

Usage Note

Audacia can be positive (admirable daring, courage to act) or negative (reckless nerve, cheek). The adjective is audaz. Tuvo la audacia de... (he had the audacity to...) can express either admiration or indignation depending on context, just as in English. This double valence makes it a nuanced word to place correctly.

Examples

"Su audacia le permitió negociar en condiciones difíciles."

Natural Translation

Her boldness allowed her to negotiate under difficult conditions.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Spanish Numbers 1-100: Count, Spell & Pronounce

Spanish numbers 1 to 100 are a system, not a list: three patterns build every number. Master the spelling, the accent rule, and how to say prices fast.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Roll Your Rs in Spanish (Even If You Can't Yet)

Roll your Rs in Spanish by building from the butter sound you already make, then adding airflow. A step-by-step method, minimal pairs, and self-check drills.

June 3, 2026 7 min read

SpanishNow

Preterite vs. Imperfect: Spanish Past Tense Made Easy

Preterite vs. imperfect: use the preterite for finished events, the imperfect for ongoing scenery. A trigger-word cheat sheet, flowchart, and examples.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

You're Welcome in Spanish: Beyond De Nada

You're welcome in Spanish is more than de nada. Learn con gusto, no hay de qué, a la orden and more — and which to use by region and how formal the moment is.

June 3, 2026 6 min read