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"Necesidades" is a form of "necesidades", a plural noun which is often translated as "hardship". "Costumbres" is a form of "costumbre", a noun which is often translated as "custom". Learn more about the difference between "necesidades" and "costumbres" below.
las necesidades(
neh
-
seh
-
see
-
dah
-
dehs
)A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
1. (privation)
a. hardship
Los refugiados pasaron muchas necesidades en el camino.The refugees suffered a lot of hardship on the road.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿El perro ha hecho sus necesidades?Has the dog done his business?
Se vieron obligados a hacer sus necesidades en un balde.They were obliged to relieve themselves in a bucket.
la necesidad
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
3. (urgency)
a. need
Reconocemos la necesidad de reformas en el sistema escolar.We recognize the need for reform in the school system.
4. (indigence)
a. necessity
Si vives en un lugar tan aislado, un carro es una necesidad.A car is a necessity if you live in such remote location.
6. (obligation)
a. necessity
Empecé a trabajar por necesidad, no porque quisiera hacerlo.I started work out of necessity, not because I wanted to.
la costumbre(
kohs
-
toom
-
breh
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (tradition)
a. custom
Marcos dice que muchas costumbres navideñas son de origen pagano.Marcos says that many Christmas customs are pagan by origin.
2. (behavior)
