causa
Lemma Details
Translation: cause; reason; case; lawsuit; legal case
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: From Latin 'causa' meaning 'cause, reason, case, lawsuit'. The English word 'cause' is a direct cognate, both deriving from the same Latin root. The legal meaning in Spanish has been preserved more prominently than in everyday English usage, where 'case' or 'lawsuit' would be more common in legal contexts.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 90%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El abogado está preparando la causa para el juicio.
The lawyer is preparing the case for trial.
Luchamos por una buena causa.
We fight for a good cause.
A causa del mal tiempo, cancelaron el evento.
Due to the bad weather, they canceled the event.
No entiendo la causa de su enojo.
I don't understand the reason for his anger.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'because' in English - the 'cause' part relates directly to 'causa'
- For the legal meaning, remember that a 'cause' is something you fight for in court
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish legal terminology, 'causa' is frequently used to refer to legal cases and proceedings. It's also commonly used in everyday speech to discuss reasons and motivations. The phrase 'hacer causa común' (to make common cause) is used in political and social contexts.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While both can refer to legal matters, 'causa' specifically refers to the legal case or lawsuit itself, while 'caso' is more general and can mean 'case' in various contexts, including situations, instances, or circumstances.
Notes: In legal contexts, these terms may sometimes be used interchangeably in some Spanish-speaking countries, but 'causa' tends to be more formal and specific to legal proceedings.
Mnemonic: 'Causa' has an 'a' like 'law' - think legal cause; 'caso' has an 'o' like 'occurrence'
Explanation: Though they look and sound similar, 'causa' means 'cause' or 'case' while 'casa' means 'house' or 'home'.
Confused word:
Mi casa está cerca del parque.
My house is near the park.
Notes: The pronunciation difference is subtle but important: 'causa' has the stress on the first syllable, while 'casa' also has the stress on the first syllable but without the 'u' sound.
Mnemonic: 'Casa' has one 's' like 'house' has one 'h'; 'causa' has a 'u' like 'reason' has a 'u'