Which to use
“lágrima” and “lástima” are a confusable Spanish pair: similar on the page, but distinct in meaning, check the gloss before you choose.
- #17,753
- “lágrima” frequency rank
- #3,571
- “lástima” frequency rank
- 21324
- confusion score
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | lágrima | lástima |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Gota de líquido transparente que segregan las glándulas lacrimales y que se desprende del ojo a causa de la irritación o de una emoción intensa. | Sentimiento doloroso que causan en el alma los padecimientos y desgracias de otros. |
Where the spellings diverge
Shared letters are muted; the letters that actually set lágrima and lástima apart are highlighted. They share 5 letters in sequence, which is exactly why the eye skips the difference.
Spelling & Dictionary Insight
A purely visual mix-up. lágrima ([ˈlaɣ̞ɾima]) and lástima ([ˈlast̪ima]) are said differently, so reading them aloud is the quickest way to catch the wrong one. On the page they stay close: they share most of their letters but differ in 2 positions. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 21324, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.
lágrima is recorded at frequency rank #17,753, classified as anoun, pronounced [ˈlaɣ̞ɾima]. lástima is at rank #3,571, tagged as anoun, pronounced [ˈlast̪ima].
Glosses for this pair are partially populated in our dataset, but the full side-by-side definitions above should still guide you to the right choice.
With a confusion score of 21324, this pair ranks #255,431 of 323,831 scored Spanish confusable pairs - a relatively easy-to-tell-apart pair.
Orthographic DNA of lágrima vs lástima
Shared letters: ailmá. Private to "lágrima": gr. Private to "lástima": st.
"lágrima" · 7 letters · shape CVCCVCV · "lástima" · 7 letters · shape CVCCVCV
Frequency comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Can "lágrima" and "lástima" be used interchangeably?
Which is more common, "lágrima" or "lástima"?
Remembering lágrima vs lástima
The fastest way to pick the right one every time.
- Read both glosses above and match the meaning you intend, only context separates this pair.
- See each word in full, definition, IPA, etymology and its other confusables. Full “lágrima” entry
- Browse more pairs most likely to be confused. Most confusable