conmoción social
Lemma Details
Translation: social upheaval; social unrest; social turmoil; social disturbance
Part of Speech: noun phrase
Etymology: Derived from Latin 'commotio' (movement, agitation) and 'socialis' (relating to society). 'Conmoción' comes from Latin 'commovere' (to move violently, to agitate), which shares roots with English words like 'commotion' and 'emotion'. The term combines the concept of intense disturbance (conmoción) with its societal scope (social).
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 70%
Register: formal
Example Usage
La crisis económica provocó una conmoción social sin precedentes en el país.
The economic crisis caused unprecedented social upheaval in the country.
Los historiadores estudian la conmoción social que siguió a la revolución.
Historians study the social turmoil that followed the revolution.
El gobierno tomó medidas para evitar una conmoción social tras el escándalo político.
The government took measures to prevent social unrest after the political scandal.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'commotion' in English (similar sound to 'conmoción') plus 'social' to remember 'social upheaval'
- Imagine a society in 'commotion' - people protesting in streets, creating a 'conmoción social'
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This term is frequently used in political discourse, news media, and academic contexts when discussing periods of significant social change or unrest. In Latin American countries, it often appears in discussions about political instability, economic crises, or civil rights movements.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Conmoción social' refers to societal upheaval, while 'conmoción cerebral' means 'concussion' (a brain injury).
Confused word:
El jugador sufrió una conmoción cerebral durante el partido.
The player suffered a concussion during the match.
Notes: Both use 'conmoción' but with completely different contexts and meanings.
Mnemonic: 'Social' relates to society (upheaval), 'cerebral' relates to the brain (injury).
Explanation: 'Conmoción social' refers to disruption and unrest, while 'emoción social' refers to emotions experienced in social contexts.
Confused word:
La solidaridad es una emoción social importante.
Solidarity is an important social emotion.
Notes: Though they sound similar, they describe very different social phenomena.
Mnemonic: 'Con-moción' suggests movement/agitation, while 'e-moción' suggests feelings.