Which to use
“máxima” is a noun and “mínima” is an adjective - they look or sound alike but fill different roles in a sentence.
- #2,512
- “máxima” frequency rank
- #3,800
- “mínima” frequency rank
- 6312
- confusion score
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | máxima | mínima |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Regla, principio o proposición generalmente admitida por todos los que profesan una facultad o ciencia. | Forma del femenino de mínimo. |
Where the eye mixes máxima and mínima
Muted = shared; highlighted = the visual trap. They share 4 letters in sequence.
Visual trap between máxima and mínima
These two trip readers on the page rather than in the ear: máxima is [ˈmaksima] while mínima is [ˈminima]. Spoken aloud the problem disappears. In writing it persists, because they share most of their letters but differ in 2 positions, and the parts of speech differ too (noun vs adjective), which is usually the fastest check. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 6312, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.
máxima is recorded at frequency rank #2,512, classified as anoun, pronounced [ˈmaksima]. mínima is at rank #3,800, tagged as anadj, pronounced [ˈminima].
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 6312, this pair ranks #311,147 of 323,831 scored Spanish confusable pairs - a relatively easy-to-tell-apart pair.
Orthographic DNA of máxima vs mínima
Shared letters: aim. Private to "máxima": xá. Private to "mínima": ní.
"máxima" · 6 letters · shape CVCVCV · "mínima" · 6 letters · shape CVCVCV
Frequently Asked Questions
Is swapping "máxima" for "mínima" ever safe?
In ordinary Spanish text, does "máxima" or "mínima" show up more?
What to do next
Visual near-miss handled. Browse the word pages or a neighbour when the next look-alike shows up.
- Full dictionary entry for "máxima" with definition, IPA, and generated misspellings. Word entry
- Full dictionary entry for "mínima" - compare definitions side by side with the headword page. Word entry
- This pair ranks #311,147 of 323,831 scored Spanish confusable pairs in this corpus vintage. Corpus statistics
- "máxima" and "mínima" also get mixed up with nearby pairs, the highest-scored neighbour is "minga vs mínima". Nearby pair
Confusion rank #311,147 of 323,831 scored Spanish pairs, corpus vintage 2026-09-03, not spelling advice.