The word facultad has multiple meanings and is used in various contexts:
In general use, it refers to a capacity or ability that a person has, like mental faculties or the capacity to act in certain ways.
In legal contexts, it signifies the power or authority to perform certain actions, such as legal faculties that allow representatives to act on behalf of someone.
In medicine, it can refer to a specific function or capacity, such as the faculties of the mind or sensory faculties.
In academic contexts, it denotes a division or department within a university, such as the Facultad de Medicina (Faculty of Medicine).
It also signifies military or governmental powers.
Frequency of Use: Facultad is commonly used in both oral and written forms, particularly in academic and legal contexts. It is relatively frequent, especially in formal discourse.
Example Sentences
La Universidad tiene una facultad de derecho muy reconocida.
The university has a very well-known faculty of law.
Ella tiene la facultad de tomar decisiones importantes en la empresa.
She has the authority to make important decisions in the company.
Al presentar su tesis, demostró su facultad para investigar.
In presenting her thesis, she demonstrated her capability for research.
Idiomatic Expressions
The word facultad is also part of several idiomatic expressions that highlight its various meanings.
Facultad de elegir - The power to choose.
Todos tenemos la facultad de elegir nuestro camino en la vida.
We all have the power to choose our path in life.
Facultades mentales - Mental faculties.
A lo largo de la vida, es importante mantener nuestras facultades mentales en forma.
Throughout life, it is important to keep our mental faculties in shape.
Facultad de decidir - The authority to decide.
El presidente tiene la facultad de decidir sobre el presupuesto.
The president has the authority to decide on the budget.
Etymology
The word facultad comes from the Latin facultatem, which means "ability, power, or opportunity." The root facere means "to do" or "to make" in Latin, indicating the notion of capability or power to act.
Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms
Capacidad (capacity)
Autoridad (authority)
Poder (power)
Competencia (competence)
Habilidad (ability)
Antonyms
Incapacidad (incapacity)
Inhabilidad (inability)
Impotencia (impotence)
Desautorización (disauthorization)
This comprehensive exploration of facultad illustrates its versatile applications in various fields and contexts within the Spanish language.