claridad
Lemma Details
Translation: clarity; clearness; brightness; light; lucidity
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: From Latin 'claritas' (clearness, brightness), derived from 'clarus' (clear, bright). The English word 'clarity' shares the same Latin root, making them cognates. The Spanish suffix '-idad' corresponds to English '-ity' in forming abstract nouns. This connection to 'clear' extends to many Romance languages, all preserving the sense of something that is easily perceived or understood.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 90%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Necesito claridad sobre este asunto.
I need clarity on this matter.
La claridad del agua permitía ver el fondo del lago.
The clarity of the water allowed us to see the bottom of the lake.
Habla con claridad para que todos te entiendan.
Speak clearly so everyone understands you.
La claridad de sus ideas impresionó al público.
The clarity of his ideas impressed the audience.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'clarity' with an extra 'dad' at the end - like a father ('dad') explaining something with clarity.
- Remember 'clar-' as in 'clear' plus '-idad' which forms nouns in Spanish.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish culture, 'claridad' is valued in communication and is often associated with honesty and directness. The phrase 'hablar con claridad' (to speak clearly) is considered a virtue in both personal and professional contexts.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Claridad' means clarity or brightness, while 'caridad' means charity or generosity. They differ by just one letter but have completely different meanings.
Notes: The pronunciation difference is subtle but important: cla-ri-DAD vs ca-ri-DAD.
Mnemonic: 'Claridad' has an 'l' like 'clear', while 'caridad' has no 'l' and means 'charity'.
Explanation: 'Claridad' refers to clearness or brightness, while 'calidad' means quality or grade of something.
This word:
La claridad de su explicación fue excelente.
The clarity of his explanation was excellent.
Notes: Both are common abstract nouns ending in '-idad' but with distinct meanings in everyday usage.
Mnemonic: 'Claridad' has 'clar' like 'clear', while 'calidad' has 'cal' like 'quality'.