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carencia means lack — a common term in Academic & Exam Prep. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: February 5, 2026

🧠 Academic & Exam Prep

carencia

noun • /[ka-REN-sya]/

lack

Example:

La carencia de datos limita el argumento.

The lack of data limits the argument.

🧠 What does carencia mean?

Carencia is a feminine noun that signifies a lack, shortage, or deficiency of something considered necessary or fundamental. It is often used in more formal, academic, or technical contexts than the more common word 'falta'. For example, it is frequently applied to topics like nutrition (carencia de vitaminas), economics (carencia de recursos), or psychology (carencia afectiva), where it highlights a specific, often measurable, insufficiency.

📚 Extra examples

  • La carencia de yodo en la dieta puede provocar problemas de tiroides.
    A lack of iodine in the diet can cause thyroid problems.
  • El informe del sociólogo señalaba una grave carencia de servicios públicos en la zona.
    The sociologist's report pointed out a serious lack of public services in the area.
  • A pesar de su inteligencia, su argumento mostraba una carencia de evidencia empírica.
    Despite his intelligence, his argument showed a lack of empirical evidence.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'carencia' is part of a word family that includes the verb 'carecer' (to lack) and the adjective 'carente' (lacking, devoid of). For example, one can say 'Él carece de experiencia' (He lacks experience) or describe something as 'carente de sentido' (devoid of meaning).

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "carencia"

Synonyms: falta, deficiencia, escasez, ausencia, insuficiencia
Opposites: abundancia, exceso, suficiencia, plenitud

🔍 See more academic & exam prep words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'lack' in Spanish?
The most common word for 'lack' is 'falta'. A more formal or technical term is 'carencia'. Other alternatives include 'escasez' for 'scarcity' and 'ausencia' for 'absence'.
How do you pronounce 'carencia' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is /kaˈɾen.θja/ in Castilian Spanish (with a 'th' sound for the 'c') or /kaˈɾen.sja/ in Latin American Spanish (with an 's' sound). The stress falls on the second-to-last syllable: ca-REN-cia.
How do you use 'carencia' in a sentence?
As a noun, 'carencia' is typically followed by the preposition 'de' to specify what is lacking. For example: 'El proyecto fracasó por la carencia de fondos' (The project failed due to the lack of funds).
What is the English translation of 'carencia'?
The primary English translation is 'lack'. Depending on the context, it can also be translated as 'shortage', 'deficiency', 'scarcity', or 'dearth'.
Does 'carencia' change for gender or number?
Yes. It is a feminine noun ('la carencia'). Its plural form is 'las carencias', used when referring to multiple deficiencies, such as 'las carencias del sistema educativo' (the shortcomings of the educational system).
Is 'carencia' common in everyday Spanish?
It is less common in casual, everyday conversation, where 'falta' is preferred. 'Carencia' is standard in formal, academic, technical, and written contexts.
Does 'carencia' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'carencia' does not have any common slang or secondary meanings. Its use is quite specific and consistently formal.
Is 'carencia' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the meaning and formal register of 'carencia' are consistent across all major Spanish-speaking regions.

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