At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'tendencia' means 'trend' or 'fashion.' You might see it in simple sentences about clothes or what is popular on the internet. It is a feminine word (la tendencia). You can think of it as something that many people are doing right now. For example, 'La tendencia es el color azul' (The trend is the color blue). It is not a word you will use every day at this level, but it is good to recognize it when you see it on social media or in a store.
At the A2 level, you can start using 'tendencia' to describe simple habits or popular things. You should know the phrase 'es tendencia' to talk about viral videos or popular topics. You can also use it with 'de la moda' to talk about clothes. For example, 'Me gusta seguir las tendencias de la moda' (I like to follow fashion trends). You are beginning to understand that it describes a group of people doing the same thing. You might also see it in simple weather reports or news headlines.
At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'tendencia' to describe more complex ideas, like a 'tendencia a' (tendency to). You can use it to talk about your personality or the personality of others. 'Mi hermano tiene tendencia a olvidar sus llaves' (My brother has a tendency to forget his keys). You are also starting to see the word in business or school contexts, such as 'una tendencia en los precios' (a trend in prices). You understand that it implies a direction or a pattern that repeats over time.
At the B2 level, which is the target level for this word, you should use 'tendencia' with precision in various fields. You should be comfortable discussing 'tendencias de mercado,' 'tendencias sociales,' and 'tendencias ideológicas.' You should know collocations like 'marcar tendencia' (to set a trend) and 'invertir la tendencia' (to reverse the trend). You can use it to analyze data or discuss sociological changes. You understand the difference between a temporary 'moda' and a more significant 'tendencia.' Your usage should include appropriate prepositions like 'a' and 'hacia.'
At the C1 level, 'tendencia' becomes a tool for nuanced analysis. You use it to describe subtle shifts in thought, artistic movements, or complex statistical patterns. You might use adjectives like 'secular,' 'subyacente,' or 'predominante' to modify it. You can discuss the 'tendencia central' in statistics or the 'tendencia política' of a newspaper. You are able to use the word in formal writing to argue for or against certain social developments. You also recognize its use in literary contexts to describe a character's inherent nature or 'propensión.'
At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'tendencia' and all its synonyms. You can use it to discuss philosophical inclinations, historical drifts, and complex systemic patterns. You understand its etymological roots and how it relates to other words like 'tensión' or 'extensión.' You can use it in highly specialized fields, such as law, medicine, or advanced economics, with perfect accuracy. You are also aware of the word's use in abstract discourse, such as 'la tendencia del ser hacia la trascendencia.' Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker.

tendencia in 30 Seconds

  • Tendencia is a feminine noun meaning 'trend' or 'tendency.' It is used in fashion, data analysis, and to describe personal habits.
  • Commonly used with the preposition 'a' (e.g., tendencia a) to show an inclination toward a specific action or state.
  • In the digital world, 'ser tendencia' means to be a trending topic on social media platforms like Twitter or TikTok.
  • It is a B2-level word that is essential for discussing social movements, economic patterns, and psychological traits accurately.

The Spanish word tendencia is a versatile and essential noun that every intermediate and advanced learner must master. At its core, it refers to a general direction in which something is developing or changing, or a natural predisposition toward a particular behavior or thought. It is the direct equivalent of the English word 'trend' or 'tendency,' and its usage spans across various domains including fashion, economics, psychology, and statistics. Understanding tendencia requires recognizing that it can describe both an external social movement and an internal human inclination. In the modern digital age, you will frequently encounter this word in the context of social media, where ser tendencia means to be a 'trending topic.' This evolution of the word highlights its relevance in contemporary communication.

Social and Fashion Context
In the world of fashion and lifestyle, a tendencia is a style or behavior that becomes popular for a period. Designers and influencers are often the ones who marcan la tendencia (set the trend). For example, if everyone starts wearing neon colors, that is the current tendencia.
Statistical and Economic Context
Economists use this word to describe the movement of markets or data over time. A tendencia alcista refers to a bullish or upward trend, while a tendencia bajista indicates a bearish or downward trend. It implies a pattern that is likely to continue unless a significant change occurs.
Psychological Context
When describing human nature, tendencia refers to an inclination or propensity. If someone has a tendencia al optimismo, they are naturally inclined to see the bright side of things. This usage often pairs with the preposition a followed by an infinitive or a noun.

La tendencia actual en el mercado laboral es el aumento del trabajo remoto y la flexibilidad horaria.

Furthermore, the word is used to describe ideological leanings. In politics, one might speak of a tendencia conservadora or tendencia progresista within a party. This suggests a specific flavor or direction of thought within a larger group. It is important to note that tendencia is a feminine noun, so it always takes feminine articles and adjectives, such as la tendencia or una tendencia clara. Whether you are analyzing a graph, choosing a new outfit, or discussing personality traits, tendencia provides the linguistic framework to describe the 'flow' of events and characteristics. It is a word that bridges the gap between the individual and the collective, the specific and the general.

Muchos jóvenes siguen las últimas tendencias de la moda a través de las redes sociales.

El informe muestra una tendencia a la baja en el consumo de tabaco entre los adolescentes.

Esta canción es tendencia en YouTube desde su lanzamiento ayer por la tarde.

El artista mostró una clara tendencia hacia el surrealismo en sus últimas obras pictóricas.

Using tendencia correctly involves understanding its grammatical placement and the common prepositions that accompany it. As a noun, it functions as the subject or object of a sentence. The most common structure for expressing an inclination is [Sujeto] + tener + tendencia + a + [Sustantivo/Infinitivo]. This construction is vital for describing habits or natural leanings. For example, 'Él tiene tendencia a la distracción' (He has a tendency toward distraction). Notice how the preposition 'a' connects the tendency to the specific behavior or state.

Describing Trends
When talking about social or market trends, we often use verbs like observar (to observe), analizar (to analyze), or seguir (to follow). You might say, 'Estamos observando una tendencia hacia el consumo responsable.' Here, hacia (toward) is used to indicate the direction of the trend.
Setting and Breaking Trends
To say someone is a trendsetter, use the phrase marcar tendencia. Conversely, to go against the grain, you might romper con la tendencia. These idiomatic expressions are common in journalism and creative industries.
Digital Contexts
In the context of social media, tendencia is often used without an article in the phrase ser tendencia. 'El hashtag #Paz es tendencia mundial.' This mirrors the English 'to be trending.'

Existe una tendencia creciente a utilizar energías renovables en las zonas rurales del país.

When using tendencia in a more formal or academic setting, it is often paired with adjectives that quantify or qualify the trend, such as predominante (predominant), irreversible (irreversible), or secular (long-term). For instance, 'La tendencia secular de la economía indica un crecimiento lento pero constante.' This level of precision is expected at the B2 and C1 levels of Spanish proficiency. Additionally, remember that tendencia can be pluralized to tendencias when referring to multiple different movements or inclinations simultaneously, such as 'Las tendencias de la moda para el próximo invierno son muy variadas.'

A pesar de las críticas, el diseñador logró que su estilo fuera la tendencia principal de la temporada.

Los analistas estudian la tendencia de voto de los ciudadanos antes de las elecciones generales.

You will hear tendencia in a wide array of real-world situations, making it a high-frequency word for any serious student of Spanish. One of the most common places is in the daily news, specifically during the weather forecast or economic reports. A meteorologist might say, 'La tendencia para el fin de semana es de cielos despejados,' meaning the general weather pattern is expected to be clear. In business news, you'll hear about tendencias del mercado or tendencias de consumo, which are crucial for understanding the financial climate. If you watch Spanish-language television or listen to podcasts, you'll notice that presenters often use the word to introduce popular topics or viral videos.

In the Workplace
During meetings, colleagues might discuss tendencias tecnológicas to decide which software to adopt. A manager might point out a tendencia a la baja in productivity, prompting a discussion on how to improve performance. It is a professional way to describe patterns without sounding too accusatory.
In Social Circles
Friends discussing their personal lives might use the word to describe their habits. 'Tengo tendencia a estresarme por cosas pequeñas' (I have a tendency to get stressed over small things). It adds a layer of self-awareness and sophistication to casual conversation.

El video de la receta de tacos se volvió tendencia en redes sociales en cuestión de horas.

In academic and scientific circles, tendencia is indispensable. Researchers use it to describe the results of their studies, such as a tendencia estadística that proves a hypothesis. In sociology, it describes movements within populations, like the tendencia a la urbanización. Because the word is so pervasive, hearing it in context will help you grasp its nuances. Whether it's a YouTuber talking about the latest 'trends' or a professor discussing historical 'tendencies,' the word remains a constant in the Spanish-speaking world. It is a 'bridge' word that connects abstract concepts with concrete data.

En la reunión, analizamos las tendencias de ventas del último trimestre para planificar el futuro.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using tendencia is confusing it with the word moda (fashion/fad). While they are related, moda refers specifically to what is popular at a given moment, whereas tendencia refers to the direction in which that popularity is moving. You can follow a moda, but you analyze a tendencia. Another common error is using the wrong preposition. Many students try to use 'de' instead of 'a' when describing a personal inclination. For example, saying 'tengo tendencia de dormir mucho' is incorrect; the correct form is 'tengo tendencia a dormir mucho.'

Confusing Tendencia with Intención
Sometimes learners use tendencia when they actually mean intención (intention). A tendencia is often subconscious or automatic, while an intención is a conscious choice. If you meant to do something, use intención.
Gender Errors
Because many words ending in '-a' are feminine, this is usually easy, but some students get confused by the '-cia' ending and try to treat it as masculine if they associate it with words like 'problema' (which is masculine). Always remember: la tendencia.

Incorrecto: El mercado tiene una tendencia de subir.
Correcto: El mercado tiene una tendencia a subir.

Additionally, avoid overusing the word tendencia in places where propensión or inclinación might be more precise. While tendencia is a great 'catch-all' word, using synonyms can make your Spanish sound more natural and advanced. Finally, be careful with the phrase 'ser tendencia.' In English, we say 'to be a trend' or 'to be trending.' In Spanish, you don't always need the article 'una' when talking about social media topics; 'es tendencia' is perfectly sufficient and actually more common than 'es una tendencia' in that specific context.

To truly master Spanish, you need to know when to use tendencia and when to opt for one of its synonyms. Each alternative carries a slightly different nuance that can change the tone of your sentence. For example, inclinación is often used for personal preferences or physical tilts, while propensión is a more formal, almost medical or psychological term for a predisposition. Understanding these differences will help you move from B2 to C1 proficiency.

Tendencia vs. Moda
Tendencia: The underlying direction or movement.
Moda: The specific style that is popular right now.
Example: 'La tendencia es hacia lo natural, por eso la moda actual es usar lino.'
Tendencia vs. Inclinación
Tendencia: Can be social, economic, or personal.
Inclinación: Usually refers to a personal liking or a physical slope.
Example: 'Tiene una inclinación por la música clásica.'
Tendencia vs. Corriente
Corriente: Often refers to a movement of thought or an artistic school.
Example: 'La corriente existencialista influyó en muchas tendencias literarias.'

Aunque la tendencia general es el ahorro, él tiene una propensión al gasto innecesario.

Other words to consider include vía (way/path) in certain contexts, or sesgo (bias) when the tendency is skewed in a particular, often unfair, direction. In a more casual setting, you might hear onda (vibe/wave), as in '¿Cuál es la onda ahora?' (What's the trend/vibe now?). By expanding your vocabulary to include these alternatives, you can describe the world with much greater precision and variety.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The same Latin root 'tendere' gives us words like 'tent', 'tension', and 'tender'. They all involve the idea of stretching!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tenˈden.θja/
US /tenˈden.sja/
The stress is on the second-to-last syllable: ten-DEN-cia.
Rhymes With
paciencia conciencia presencia ausencia vivencia creencia docencia herencia
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the 'c' like a 'k'.
  • Stressing the first syllable.
  • Stressing the last syllable.
  • Forgetting the 'i' in the last syllable.
  • Confusing the 'e' sound with an English 'a'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct preposition use (a/hacia).

Speaking 4/5

Requires correct pronunciation of 'cia'.

Listening 3/5

Clear and distinct sound in most dialects.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

moda hábito dirección cambio popular

Learn Next

propensión inclinación predisposición sesgo alcista

Advanced

historiografía estocástico coyuntura fluctuación paradigma

Grammar to Know

Nouns ending in -cia are almost always feminine.

La tendencia, la paciencia, la decencia.

The preposition 'a' is used after 'tendencia' to indicate an inclination.

Tendencia a la risa.

Adjectives must agree in gender and number with 'tendencia'.

Las tendencias actuales.

The verb 'tender' (to tend) often accompanies the noun concept.

Los precios tienden a subir (tendencia alcista).

Using 'ser' vs 'estar' with trends.

Esto ES tendencia (it is a trend) vs Esto ESTÁ de moda (it is in fashion).

Examples by Level

1

La tendencia es usar ropa verde.

The trend is to wear green clothes.

Feminine singular noun.

2

Esta canción es tendencia.

This song is trending.

Used as a predicate adjective here.

3

No sigo la tendencia.

I don't follow the trend.

Direct object of the verb 'seguir'.

4

Es una tendencia nueva.

It is a new trend.

Modified by the adjective 'nueva'.

5

La tendencia de hoy es bailar.

Today's trend is dancing.

Possessive 'de' used to indicate time.

6

¿Cuál es la tendencia?

What is the trend?

Interrogative sentence.

7

Vemos una tendencia clara.

We see a clear trend.

Adjective 'clara' matches the feminine noun.

8

Las tendencias cambian rápido.

Trends change fast.

Plural form 'tendencias'.

1

Ella tiene tendencia a cantar.

She has a tendency to sing.

Structure: tener + tendencia + a + infinitive.

2

Es la tendencia de este verano.

It is the trend of this summer.

Noun phrase with 'de'.

3

Ese video es tendencia en TikTok.

That video is trending on TikTok.

Common digital context.

4

Hay una tendencia a comer sano.

There is a trend toward eating healthy.

Indefinite article 'una'.

5

No entiendo las tendencias actuales.

I don't understand current trends.

Plural with the adjective 'actuales'.

6

La tendencia del mercado es buena.

The market trend is good.

Subject of the sentence.

7

Él marca la tendencia en su clase.

He sets the trend in his class.

Idiom: marcar la tendencia.

8

Sigo las tendencias de tecnología.

I follow technology trends.

Plural noun with a specific domain.

1

Mi gato tiene tendencia a escaparse.

My cat has a tendency to escape.

Reflexive infinitive 'escaparse' after 'a'.

2

La tendencia a la baja preocupa a todos.

The downward trend worries everyone.

Noun phrase 'tendencia a la baja'.

3

Observamos una tendencia hacia el ahorro.

We observe a trend toward saving.

Preposition 'hacia' used for direction.

4

Las tendencias políticas están cambiando.

Political trends are changing.

Adjective 'políticas' modifying the plural noun.

5

Tiene una fuerte tendencia al drama.

He has a strong tendency toward drama.

Contraction 'al' (a + el).

6

La tendencia general es muy positiva.

The general trend is very positive.

Adjective 'general' is gender-neutral.

7

Debemos analizar la tendencia de ventas.

We must analyze the sales trend.

Infinitive 'analizar' as the main verb.

8

Esa moda es solo una tendencia pasajera.

That fashion is just a passing trend.

Adjective 'pasajera' means fleeting.

1

El informe destaca la tendencia alcista.

The report highlights the bullish trend.

Technical term 'alcista'.

2

Hay una tendencia creciente al sedentarismo.

There is a growing trend toward a sedentary lifestyle.

Adjective 'creciente' (growing).

3

La tendencia actual es la sostenibilidad.

The current trend is sustainability.

Abstract noun as the complement.

4

Muchos artistas marcan tendencia hoy.

Many artists set trends today.

Verb 'marcar' in the plural.

5

La tendencia a simplificar es común.

The tendency to simplify is common.

Infinitive 'simplificar' after 'a'.

6

Estudiamos la tendencia de voto juvenil.

We study the youth voting trend.

Compound noun phrase.

7

La tendencia demográfica indica envejecimiento.

The demographic trend indicates aging.

Academic context.

8

No podemos ignorar esta tendencia social.

We cannot ignore this social trend.

Modal verb 'poder' in the negative.

1

La tendencia secular del PIB es estable.

The long-term trend of the GDP is stable.

Adjective 'secular' meaning long-term.

2

Existe una tendencia inherente al caos.

There is an inherent tendency toward chaos.

Adjective 'inherente'.

3

La tendencia predominante es el minimalismo.

The predominant trend is minimalism.

Adjective 'predominante'.

4

Se observa una tendencia a la polarización.

A trend toward polarization is observed.

Passive 'se' construction.

5

La tendencia estética de la obra es barroca.

The aesthetic tendency of the work is Baroque.

Subject is 'tendencia estética'.

6

Analizamos la tendencia de los mercados.

We analyze the trend of the markets.

Plural 'mercados'.

7

La tendencia migratoria se ha invertido.

The migratory trend has been reversed.

Present perfect 'se ha invertido'.

8

Muestra una tendencia a la introspección.

It shows a tendency toward introspection.

Abstract noun 'introspección'.

1

La tendencia entrópica de los sistemas.

The entropic tendency of systems.

Scientific/Philosophical context.

2

Subyace una tendencia hacia el misticismo.

An underlying tendency toward mysticism exists.

Verb 'subyacer' (to underlie).

3

La tendencia central de la distribución.

The central tendency of the distribution.

Statistical term.

4

Se detecta una tendencia a la obsolescencia.

A tendency toward obsolescence is detected.

Formal verb 'detectar'.

5

La tendencia historiográfica actual varía.

The current historiographical trend varies.

Highly specialized adjective.

6

Existe una tendencia a la burocratización.

There is a tendency toward bureaucratization.

Sociological term.

7

La tendencia de la psique humana al mito.

The human psyche's tendency toward myth.

Philosophical phrasing.

8

Invertir la tendencia requiere gran esfuerzo.

Reversing the trend requires great effort.

Infinitive as subject.

Antonyms

estancamiento irregularidad

Common Collocations

marcar tendencia
tendencia alcista
tendencia bajista
tener tendencia a
ser tendencia
tendencia creciente
tendencia decreciente
tendencia secular
tendencia de voto
seguir la tendencia

Common Phrases

A contracorriente

— To go against the trend or the majority.

Él siempre prefiere ir a contracorriente.

Última tendencia

— The very latest trend or fashion.

Esta es la última tendencia en París.

Tendencia al alza

— An upward trend, often in prices or numbers.

Los alquileres tienen una tendencia al alza.

Tendencia a la baja

— A downward trend.

La inflación muestra una tendencia a la baja.

En tendencia

— Currently popular or trending.

Los pantalones anchos están en tendencia.

Cambio de tendencia

— A shift in the direction of a trend.

Hubo un cambio de tendencia en el segundo tiempo.

Tendencia suicida

— A clinical term for suicidal tendencies.

El paciente no muestra tendencias suicidas.

Tendencia central

— A statistical measure like mean or median.

Calculamos la tendencia central de los datos.

Seguir las tendencias

— To keep up with what is popular.

Es importante seguir las tendencias del mercado.

Marcar una tendencia

— To establish a new pattern or style.

Su discurso marcó una tendencia en la política.

Often Confused With

tendencia vs moda

Moda is the specific thing that is popular; tendencia is the direction of popularity.

tendencia vs tienda

Tienda means shop; tendencia means trend. They sound similar but are unrelated.

tendencia vs intención

Intención is a conscious plan; tendencia is often an unconscious inclination.

Idioms & Expressions

"Ir con la corriente"

— To follow the trend without questioning it.

A veces es más fácil ir con la corriente.

Informal
"Sentar cátedra"

— To set a definitive trend or standard in a field.

Su libro sentó cátedra en la lingüística.

Formal
"Estar en la onda"

— To be up to date with the latest trends.

Mi abuelo siempre intenta estar en la onda.

Informal
"Romper el molde"

— To break the trend or do something completely new.

Esa película rompió el molde del cine de terror.

Neutral
"Seguir el rebaño"

— To follow the trend blindly like a sheep.

No seas uno más que sigue el rebaño.

Informal
"Ponerse de moda"

— To become a trend.

Se ha puesto de moda comer aguacate.

Neutral
"Hacer furor"

— To be a massive, explosive trend.

Ese baile está haciendo furor en las redes.

Informal
"Ser el último grito"

— To be the absolute latest trend (usually fashion).

Estos zapatos son el último grito en Nueva York.

Informal
"Nadar contra corriente"

— To actively resist a trend or social pressure.

Es difícil nadar contra corriente en esta empresa.

Neutral
"Dar la nota"

— To stand out from the trend (often negatively).

No quería dar la nota con mi ropa.

Informal

Easily Confused

tendencia vs Moda

Both relate to popularity.

Moda is the 'what', Tendencia is the 'where it's going'.

La moda son los jeans, pero la tendencia es hacia la ropa cómoda.

tendencia vs Inclinación

Both mean tendency.

Inclinación is more personal or physical; tendencia is more general or statistical.

Tiene inclinación por el arte, pero la tendencia del mercado es la ciencia.

tendencia vs Propensión

Both mean tendency.

Propensión is much more formal and often relates to health or deep traits.

Su propensión a la diabetes es preocupante.

tendencia vs Corriente

Both mean a movement.

Corriente is usually a school of thought; tendencia is a pattern of change.

La corriente impresionista fue una tendencia importante.

tendencia vs Hábito

Both describe repeated actions.

Hábito is a learned behavior; tendencia is a natural leaning.

Tengo el hábito de leer, pero tendencia a distraerme.

Sentence Patterns

A1

La tendencia es [sustantivo].

La tendencia es el color rojo.

A2

[Sujeto] tiene tendencia a [infinitivo].

Él tiene tendencia a correr.

B1

Hay una tendencia hacia [sustantivo].

Hay una tendencia hacia el minimalismo.

B2

Marcar tendencia en [ámbito].

Ella marca tendencia en el diseño gráfico.

C1

La tendencia predominante indica que [cláusula].

La tendencia predominante indica que los precios bajarán.

C2

Invertir la tendencia de [sustantivo].

Es difícil invertir la tendencia de la inflación.

B2

Ser tendencia en [red social].

El vídeo es tendencia en Twitter.

B1

Una tendencia a la [baja/alza].

Vemos una tendencia a la alza en el empleo.

Word Family

Nouns

tendencia
tendenciosidad

Verbs

tender

Adjectives

tendencioso
tendente

Related

tensión
extensión
intención
atención
contención

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in news, fashion, and business.

Common Mistakes
  • El tendencia La tendencia

    Tendencia is feminine. Always use feminine articles and adjectives.

  • Tendencia de ir Tendencia a ir

    The preposition 'a' is required when followed by an infinitive.

  • Es una moda de mercado Es una tendencia de mercado

    Markets have trends (long-term patterns), not just fashions (short-term fads).

  • Marcar la moda Marcar tendencia

    The correct idiomatic expression for setting a trend is 'marcar tendencia'.

  • Tendencia por el drama Tendencia al drama

    Use 'a' (or 'al' for a+el) to show the object of the tendency.

Tips

Preposition Power

Always remember 'tendencia a'. Using 'de' is a common mistake for English speakers. Think: 'A' for 'Action' or 'Aim'.

Fashion Talk

Use 'marcar tendencia' to sound like a fashion expert. It implies leadership and influence.

Going Viral

If you see something viral, say 'Es tendencia'. You don't need 'una' in this specific digital context.

Market Speak

Learn 'alcista' and 'bajista'. These are essential for discussing stocks or economy trends in Spanish.

The Soft C

Practice the 'cia' ending. It should be light and quick, not heavy like 'sha' in English 'fashion'.

Variety

In essays, swap 'tendencia' for 'inclinación' or 'propensión' to show off your vocabulary range.

Global Trends

Remember that trends can be local. Something might be 'tendencia en España' but not in Mexico.

Analyze, Don't Just See

We 'analizamos' or 'observamos' a tendencia. We 'seguimos' a moda.

Self-Reflection

Use 'tengo tendencia a' to describe your personality traits in a sophisticated way during interviews.

Root Connection

Connect it to 'tender' (to stretch). A trend stretches from the past into the future.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'TENDency' to 'TEND' to something. If you tend to a garden, you are moving in that direction regularly.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant rubber band stretching (tendere) toward a specific goal or fashion item.

Word Web

moda mercado inclinación hábito dirección patrón viral estilo

Challenge

Try to use 'tendencia' in three different contexts today: fashion, a personal habit, and a news topic.

Word Origin

From the Latin verb 'tendere', which means 'to stretch' or 'to aim at'.

Original meaning: The act of stretching or moving toward a specific point.

Romance (Latin)

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'tendencia' to describe groups of people, as it can sometimes lead to generalizations or stereotypes.

English uses 'trend' more for fashion and 'tendency' for behavior. Spanish uses 'tendencia' for both.

Google Trends (Google Tendencias in Spanish). Twitter's 'Trending Topics' (Tendencias). Fashion weeks in Madrid (Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Fashion

  • marcar tendencia
  • última tendencia
  • tendencias de pasarela
  • crear tendencia

Economics

  • tendencia alcista
  • tendencia bajista
  • tendencia de mercado
  • analizar la tendencia

Social Media

  • ser tendencia
  • trending topic
  • volverse tendencia
  • hashtag en tendencia

Psychology

  • tendencia a
  • propensión a
  • inclinación natural
  • tendencia de comportamiento

Politics

  • tendencia de voto
  • tendencia ideológica
  • tendencia política
  • cambio de tendencia

Conversation Starters

"¿Cuál crees que es la tendencia más extraña de este año?"

"¿Tienes tendencia a procrastinar cuando tienes mucho trabajo?"

"¿Qué tendencias tecnológicas crees que cambiarán el futuro?"

"¿Sueles seguir las tendencias de la moda o prefieres tu propio estilo?"

"¿Has notado alguna tendencia nueva en tu ciudad últimamente?"

Journal Prompts

Describe una tendencia social que te preocupe y explica por qué crees que está ocurriendo.

Reflexiona sobre tus propias tendencias personales. ¿Qué hábitos te gustaría cambiar?

Escribe sobre una tendencia de moda del pasado que te parezca ridícula ahora.

¿Cómo influyen las tendencias de las redes sociales en tu vida diaria?

Analiza la tendencia de tu carrera profesional en los últimos cinco años.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Es un sustantivo femenino. Siempre se dice 'la tendencia' o 'una tendencia'. Por ejemplo: 'La tendencia actual es muy clara'.

Se puede decir 'tema de tendencia' o simplemente 'tendencia'. Es muy común escuchar 'es tendencia en Twitter'.

La 'moda' es algo específico que mucha gente usa o hace ahora. La 'tendencia' es la dirección o el patrón de ese cambio a largo plazo.

Generalmente se usa 'a' para inclinaciones (tendencia a comer) o 'hacia' para direcciones (tendencia hacia el norte).

Significa ser el primero en hacer algo que luego otros copian, convirtiéndose en un líder de estilo o comportamiento.

Sí, es muy común hablar de 'tendencia de voto' o de las 'tendencias' (facciones) dentro de un partido político.

Se dice 'tendencia alcista'. Viene de la palabra 'alza' (subida).

Se dice 'tendencia bajista'. Viene de la palabra 'baja' (caída).

No, lo correcto es 'tengo tendencia a'. Siempre usa la preposición 'a' con verbos en infinitivo.

Sí, en estadística se habla de 'tendencia central' para referirse a medidas como la media, la mediana y la moda.

Test Yourself 185 questions

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Escribe una frase usando 'tendencia a'.

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Describe una tendencia de moda actual en tu país.

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¿Qué significa para ti 'marcar tendencia'?

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Escribe una frase sobre una tendencia económica.

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Usa 'ser tendencia' en una frase sobre redes sociales.

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Explica la diferencia entre moda y tendencia.

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Escribe una frase formal usando 'tendencia predominante'.

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¿Tienes alguna tendencia personal que quieras cambiar?

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Escribe sobre una tendencia tecnológica del futuro.

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Usa 'tendencia bajista' en una frase.

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Escribe una frase sobre la tendencia de voto.

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Describe una tendencia artística que te guste.

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Usa 'tendencia a la alza' en una frase.

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Escribe una frase usando 'tendencia secular'.

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¿Cómo afectan las tendencias a los jóvenes?

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Escribe una frase usando 'invertir la tendencia'.

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Usa 'tendencia demográfica' en una frase.

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Escribe una frase sobre una tendencia en la educación.

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Usa 'tendencia pasajera' en una frase.

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Escribe una frase sobre una tendencia climática.

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¿Qué tendencias de moda no te gustan?

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¿Crees que es importante marcar tendencia?

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¿Tienes tendencia a madrugar o a trasnochar?

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¿Qué es tendencia hoy en las redes sociales?

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¿Cómo analizas una tendencia de mercado?

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¿Crees que las tendencias influyen en tu forma de pensar?

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¿Qué tendencia tecnológica te parece más útil?

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¿Por qué algunas tendencias son pasajeras?

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¿Cómo ha cambiado la tendencia de consumo en tu ciudad?

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¿Qué significa 'ser tendencia' para un artista?

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¿Tienes tendencia a estresarte fácilmente?

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¿Qué tendencias de comida saludable conoces?

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¿Es bueno seguir siempre la tendencia?

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¿Cómo influyen las tendencias en la economía?

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¿Qué tendencia del pasado te gustaría que volviera?

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¿Cómo marcas tendencia en tu grupo de amigos?

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¿Qué tendencia de viaje es popular ahora?

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¿Crees que la tendencia al teletrabajo es permanente?

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¿Cómo afecta la tendencia demográfica a tu país?

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¿Qué palabra usarías como sinónimo de tendencia?

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Escucha: 'La tendencia para mañana es de lluvias'. ¿Qué tiempo hará?

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Escucha: 'El mercado muestra una tendencia bajista'. ¿Suben los precios?

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Escucha: 'Ella tiene tendencia a exagerar'. ¿Dice la verdad exacta?

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Escucha: 'Este color es tendencia este año'. ¿Es popular el color?

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Escucha: 'Debemos seguir las tendencias globales'. ¿Qué debemos hacer?

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Escucha: 'Es tendencia en Twitter'. ¿Dónde es popular?

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Escucha: 'La tendencia de voto ha cambiado'. ¿Sigue igual la intención?

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Escucha: 'Observamos una tendencia al alza'. ¿Qué dirección tiene?

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Escucha: 'Su tendencia natural es ayudar'. ¿Cómo es la persona?

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Escucha: 'Es una tendencia secular'. ¿Es un cambio de un día?

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Escucha: 'Marcar tendencia no es fácil'. ¿Es sencillo ser líder?

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Escucha: 'La tendencia demográfica es clara'. ¿Se entiende el patrón?

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Escucha: 'No sigo las tendencias'. ¿Qué hace el hablante?

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Escucha: 'Hay una tendencia a la simplificación'. ¿Se busca lo complejo?

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Escucha: 'Invertir la tendencia es la prioridad'. ¿Qué es lo más importante?

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/ 185 correct

Perfect score!

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