Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Disability in Spanish: Discapacidad
Discapacidad · noun · dees-kah-pah-see-DAHD
Discapacidad is the standard Spanish term for disability, referring to a physical, mental, or sensory condition that limits certain activities.
dees-kah-pah-see-DAHD
Las personas con discapacidad tienen derecho a la accesibilidad.
People with disabilities have the right to accessibility.
Disability in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for disability, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| discapacidad | disability | dees-kah-pah-see-DAHD | Default, widely understood |
| incapacidad | disability | legal/work disability | |
| minusvalía | disability | older term, being phased out in Spain |
How Native Speakers Use Discapacidad
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Rights advocacy
La ley protege a las personas con discapacidad contra la discriminación.
The law protects people with disabilities against discrimination.
Discussing legal rights and protections.
Workplace context
La empresa ofrece adaptaciones para empleados con discapacidad.
The company offers accommodations for employees with disabilities.
Explaining workplace policies.
Government benefits
Solicitó una pensión por incapacidad después del accidente.
He applied for a disability pension after the accident.
Navigating government benefit applications.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Discapacidad
Using disabilidad as a false cognate
Incorrect: Ella tiene una disabilidad física.
Correct: Ella tiene una discapacidad física.
Disabilidad is not a Spanish word — the correct term is discapacidad, with the prefix dis- and the root capacidad.
Using outdated term minusvalía
Incorrect: Tiene un certificado de minusvalía.
Correct: Tiene un certificado de discapacidad.
Minusvalía is considered outdated and potentially offensive in modern usage; discapacidad is the preferred current term.
Lock in Disability Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Discapacidad used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using discapacidad in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Las personas con discapacidad tienen derecho a la accesibilidad. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Disability in Spanish
- How do you say 'disability' in Spanish?
- The standard modern term is discapacidad, used in legal, medical, and everyday contexts across all Spanish-speaking countries.
- What is the difference between discapacidad and incapacidad?
- Discapacidad refers to a lasting condition that limits abilities, while incapacidad often refers specifically to the legal inability to work, such as in incapacidad laboral (work disability).
- How do I say 'person with a disability' respectfully in Spanish?
- The preferred phrasing is persona con discapacidad (person with a disability), which uses person-first language parallel to current best practices in English.