necesario
Lemma Details
Translation: necessary; required; essential; needed; requisite
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: Derived from Latin 'necessarius' meaning 'unavoidable, indispensable, necessary', which comes from 'necesse' (unavoidable, inevitable). The Latin root 'nec' means 'not' and 'cedere' means 'to yield', so etymologically it refers to something that cannot be yielded or given up. The English cognate 'necessary' shares the same Latin origin, making this a transparent cognate for English speakers.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 90%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Es necesario estudiar para el examen.
It is necessary to study for the exam.
Trae solo lo necesario para el viaje.
Bring only what is necessary for the trip.
Las herramientas necesarias están en el garaje.
The necessary tools are in the garage.
Si es necesario, podemos quedarnos más tiempo.
If necessary, we can stay longer.
No es necesario que vengas si estás enfermo.
It's not necessary for you to come if you're sick.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'necessary' in English - they look and sound very similar.
- Break it down as 'nece-sario' and think of something so necessary that it's 'serious' business.
- The 'nece' part sounds like 'need' - something necessary is something you need.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
Used frequently in both formal and informal contexts. In Spanish culture, the concept of 'lo necesario' (what is necessary) is often contrasted with 'lo superfluo' (what is superfluous) in discussions about minimalism, essential living, or economic decisions.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Necesario' means 'necessary' or 'required', while 'necesitado' means 'needy' or 'in need'.
Confused word:
Ayudamos a las personas necesitadas.
We help needy people.
Notes: 'Necesario' is an adjective describing something essential, while 'necesitado' often describes a person or group in a state of need.
Mnemonic: 'Necesitado' has the verb 'necesitar' (to need) in it, so it refers to someone who needs something, while 'necesario' refers to something that is needed.
Explanation: 'Necesario' is an adjective meaning 'necessary', while 'necesariamente' is the adverb form meaning 'necessarily'.
Confused word:
No tienes que venir necesariamente a la fiesta.
You don't necessarily have to come to the party.
Notes: Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, while adjectives modify nouns.
Mnemonic: The '-mente' ending in Spanish creates adverbs, similar to '-ly' in English.