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"Descendencia" is a noun which is often translated as "descendants", and "ascendencia" is a noun which is often translated as "ancestry". Learn more about the difference between "descendencia" and "ascendencia" below.
la descendencia(
deh
-
sehn
-
dehn
-
syah
)
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
a. descendants (plural)
El príncipe expresó reiteradamente su deseo de tener descendencia.The prince repeatedly expressed his desire to have descendants.
b. offspring
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
(formal)
Parecía no importarle no tener nada que dejarle a su descendencia.It didn't seem to bother him that he had nothing to leave to his offspring.
a. descent
Yo nací en Nueva York pero mi familia es de descendencia irlandesa.I was born in New York but my family is of Irish descent.
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la ascendencia(
ah
-
sehn
-
dehn
-
syah
)
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
a. ancestry
Italia da la doble ciudadanía a los extranjeros que puedan probar su ascendencia italiana.Italy grants dual citizenship to foreign born people who can prove Italian ancestry.
a. influence
Los expresidentes todavía tienen mucha ascendencia sobre el destino del país.Former presidents still have a lot of influence over the fate of the country.
b. ascendancy
Debemos garantizar la ascendencia de la diplomacia sobre el uso de la fuerza.We must assure the ascendancy of diplomacy over the use of force.
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