totalidad
Lemma Details
Translation: totality; entirety; whole; completeness; fullness
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: Derived from the Latin 'totalitas' (the whole, entirety), which comes from 'totalis' (entire, total), ultimately from 'totus' (all, whole, complete). The English cognate 'totality' follows the same Latin root. The suffix '-dad' in Spanish corresponds to '-ty' in English, forming abstract nouns that express a state or condition.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 90%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
La totalidad de los estudiantes aprobó el examen.
The entirety of the students passed the exam.
Debemos considerar el problema en su totalidad.
We must consider the problem in its entirety.
La totalidad del universo es incomprensible para la mente humana.
The totality of the universe is incomprehensible to the human mind.
El proyecto fue financiado en su totalidad por donaciones privadas.
The project was financed entirely by private donations.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'total' + '-idad' (which forms nouns in Spanish) = the state of being total or complete.
- Visualize a circle that encompasses everything inside it - that's 'totalidad'.
- Remember that 'totalidad' sounds like 'totality' in English, with nearly identical meaning.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
Used in formal and academic contexts, particularly in discussions about comprehensive approaches or complete systems. In political discourse, it may refer to the entirety of a population or a complete set of circumstances.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Totalidad' refers to completeness or entirety, while 'totalitarismo' specifically refers to a political system where the state has complete control.
Confused word:
El totalitarismo suprime las libertades individuales.
Totalitarianism suppresses individual freedoms.
Notes: Both words share the root 'total' but have very different applications and connotations.
Mnemonic: 'Totalidad' ends in '-dad' like many abstract concepts (verdad, bondad), while 'totalitarismo' ends in '-ismo' like political systems (comunismo, capitalismo).
Explanation: 'Totalidad' is a noun referring to the state of completeness, while 'total' can be an adjective meaning 'complete' or a noun referring to a sum.
Notes: 'Total' is more commonly used in everyday language, while 'totalidad' often appears in more formal or academic contexts.
Mnemonic: Think of 'totalidad' as 'total' + 'quality' or 'state' - it's the state of being total.