Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Greed in Spanish
Avaricia · noun · ah-bah-REE-see-ah
Greed translates primarily as 'avaricia' or 'codicia' in Spanish. 'Avaricia' emphasizes hoarding money and reluctance to spend, while 'codicia' focuses on the intense desire to acquire more wealth, power, or possessions. Both are considered negative traits and appear frequently in moral and religious discussions.
For 'avaricia,' say ah-bah-REE-see-ah with stress on the third syllable. For 'codicia,' say koh-DEE-see-ah. Both words have the 'cia' ending common in abstract Spanish nouns.
La avaricia fue su mayor defecto y causó su ruina.
Greed was his greatest flaw and caused his ruin.
Greed in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for greed, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| avaricia | greed | ah-bah-REE-see-ah | Default, widely understood |
| codicia | greed | greed for power/possessions | |
| ambición desmedida | greed | excessive ambition |
How Native Speakers Use Avaricia
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Moral judgment
La codicia de los empresarios no tiene límites.
The greed of the business owners knows no bounds.
Using 'codicia' to criticize excessive desire for wealth in a social commentary.
Proverb
La avaricia rompe el saco.
Greed breaks the bag. (He who grasps at too much loses everything.)
A well-known Spanish proverb warning about the dangers of excessive greed.
Personal flaw
Su avaricia le impedía disfrutar de la vida.
His greed prevented him from enjoying life.
Describing how miserliness affects quality of life.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Avaricia
Confusing 'avaricia' with 'codicia'
Incorrect: Siente avaricia por el poder. (avaricia is about money/hoarding)
Correct: Siente codicia por el poder.
'Avaricia' specifically relates to hoarding money and being miserly, while 'codicia' applies to craving power, possessions, or status. For non-monetary greed, use 'codicia.'
Using 'gula' for general greed
Incorrect: Tiene mucha gula por el dinero.
Correct: Tiene mucha avaricia/codicia por el dinero.
'Gula' means gluttony (excessive eating), not general greed. It's one of the seven deadly sins but refers only to food, not wealth or possessions.
Lock in Greed 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 Avaricia used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Greed in Spanish
- What's the difference between 'avaricia' and 'codicia'?
- Avaricia describes the compulsive hoarding of wealth and extreme reluctance to spend money (like Scrooge), while codicia refers to the burning desire to acquire more of something—money, power, land, or status—making codicia about wanting more and avaricia about refusing to let go of what you have.
- Is there a Spanish proverb about greed?
- The most famous is 'la avaricia rompe el saco' (greed breaks the bag), meaning that excessive greed causes you to lose everything by overreaching, similar to the English expressions 'don't be penny wise and pound foolish' or 'the greedy lose it all.'
- How is greed discussed in religious Spanish?
- In Catholic tradition, which deeply influences Spanish-speaking cultures, 'avaricia' is one of the seven deadly sins (los siete pecados capitales), while 'codicia' appears in the Ten Commandments as 'no codiciarás' (thou shalt not covet), giving both words strong moral and religious weight.