sequía
nounCEFR B1
What does “sequía” mean in English?
drought
drought (prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall causing water shortages — sufrir una sequía, restricciones por sequía)
Example sentences
La sequía del verano pasado fue tan severa que varios municipios tuvieron que restringir el uso del agua durante meses.
Last summer's drought was so severe that several municipalities had to restrict water use for months.
Con el cambio climático, las sequías son cada vez más frecuentes y más largas en la región mediterránea.
With climate change, droughts are increasingly frequent and longer in the Mediterranean region.
El gobierno ha activado el plan de emergencia por sequía y ha pedido a los ciudadanos que reduzcan el consumo de agua.
The government has activated the emergency drought plan and has asked citizens to reduce their water consumption.
How to use it
La sequía means 'drought' — a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall leading to water shortages. It is feminine (la sequía). Key collocates: sufrir una sequía, la sequía prolongada, restricciones por sequía, el año de sequía. The accent on the é is essential: sequía, not sequia. In Spain, summer drought is a recurring topic in weather and environment news.
Common mistake
The accent on the é is load-bearing: sequía (drought) vs. *sequia (incorrect, non-word). The word is always feminine (la sequía). Do not confuse with la escasez de agua (water shortage — a general term) or la aridez (aridity — a permanent climatic characteristic). Sequía refers to a meteorological event (temporary below-normal rainfall), while aridez describes a permanent dry climate.