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decencia

decency

noun deh-SEN-syah Rare

Origin: From Latin decentia, from decens (fitting, proper).

Also means

propriety

Usage Note

Decencia covers both moral decency (honesty, integrity) and propriety in dress or behaviour. The adjective is decente. A related false friend to watch: English 'decency' overlaps with Spanish decencia, but decente can also simply mean 'decent' in the colloquial sense of 'quite good' (un sueldo decente = a decent wage), a usage more casual than the moral core of decencia.

Examples

"Actuó con decencia y respeto en todo momento."

Natural Translation

She acted with decency and respect at all times.

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