suficiencia

sufficiency

noun soo-fee-SYEN-syah Rare

Also means

self-satisfaction

Usage Note

Suficiencia has two distinct registers: in a neutral sense it means adequacy or the quality of being enough (la suficiencia de los recursos = the sufficiency of resources). In a negative register it means smugness or self-importance (hablar con suficiencia = to speak with an air of superiority). A prueba de suficiencia is a proficiency exam. Learners should watch context carefully to distinguish the two senses.

Examples

"Su suficiencia irritaba a todos en la reunión."

Natural Translation

His smugness irritated everyone at the meeting.

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