crisis

noun KREE-sees Less Common

Origin: From Greek krisis (decision, turning point), via Latin.

Usage Note

Crisis is a feminine noun that is invariable in the plural — la crisis, las crisis (no change in spelling). The stress falls on the first syllable, and like other non-final-stressed nouns ending in -s it does not change form in the plural. The phrase en tiempos de crisis ('in times of crisis') is fixed in economic and political discourse.

Examples

"El país atraviesa una grave crisis."

Natural Translation

The country is going through a serious crisis.

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