vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Influencia" is a form of "influencia", a noun which is often translated as "influence". "Ascendiente" is a noun which is often translated as "ancestor". Learn more about the difference between "influencia" and "ascendiente" below.
la influencia(
eem
-
flwehn
-
syah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
las influencias
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
a. contacts
Consiguió el puesto porque tiene influencias en la empresa.She got the job because she has contacts in the company.
el ascendiente, la ascendienta(
ah
-
sehn
-
dyehn
-
teh
)This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
1. (forebear)
a. ancestor
Que yo sepa, no tengo ningún ascendiente pelirrojo pero yo lo soy.As far as I know, I don't have any red-haired ancestors, but I am red-haired.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
2. (formal) (authority)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. ascendancy
El ascendiente de las nuevas tecnologías es innegable en nuestra vida diaria.The ascendancy of new technologies is undeniable in our daily life.
b. ascendency
El político ganó ascendiente sobre los votantes con su campaña de propaganda.The politician gained ascendency over voters with his propaganda campaign.
c. influence
La opinión de los padres tiene un gran ascendiente en las nuestras cuando somos pequeños.Our parents' opinion has a great influence over us when we are children.
