radicar

to be based, to lie (in)

verb rrrah-dee-KAHR Rare

Origin: From Latin 'radicari' (to take root), from 'radix' (root).

Also means

to be rooted (in)

Usage Note

Radicar typically appears in the construction radicar en (to lie/reside in) to indicate where something is headquartered or what something consists of fundamentally: el problema radica en la falta de comunicación (the problem lies in the lack of communication). It can also indicate where a person or organisation is based (la empresa radica en Sevilla). It is formal and common in written and journalistic Spanish.

Examples

"La dificultad radica en la falta de recursos."

Natural Translation

The difficulty lies in the lack of resources.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Spanish Object Pronouns: Lo, La, Le & Se Made Simple

Use lo/la for the direct object and le for the indirect — and le becomes se before lo/la. Master Spanish object pronouns with one simple verb test.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Por vs Para in Spanish: One Mental Model, No Acronyms

Por looks backward at cause and path; para looks forward at goal and destination. Master por vs para in Spanish with one mental model — no acronyms needed.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Reflexive Verbs: Me, Te, Se Made Clear

Spanish reflexive verbs use me, te, se for actions you do to yourself. Master the daily-routine pattern, pronoun placement, and shifts like dormir vs dormirse.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Preterite vs. Imperfect: Spanish Past Tense Made Easy

Preterite vs. imperfect: use the preterite for finished events, the imperfect for ongoing scenery. A trigger-word cheat sheet, flowchart, and examples.

June 9, 2026 6 min read