Spanish Word of the Day: Hierba (herb / grass)

When I was sick, my grandmother would always prepare various teas for me using different hierbas, a Spanish noun that refers to herbs and grass. Derived from the Latin word herba, meaning plant or vegetation, hierba is a term commonly used to describe the green, leafy plants that cover the ground or are used for …

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Spanish Word of the Day: Foca (seal)

The word foca comes from the Latin word phoca, which means seal. In Latin, phoca was used to describe the marine animal with the sleek body and flippers we know today. The Latin word derived from the ancient Greek word phōkē (φακός) and it also referred to the same animal. Latin American Pronunciation European Pronunciation …

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Spanish Word of the Day: Apapachar (to pamper / to cuddle)

It has been raining non-stop in my city this week, and it seems like the perfect weather to apapachar my husband and my dog. The word apapachar has a rich cultural significance, originating from the Nahuatl word papatzoa, which means to soften or caress with your fingers. This indigenous language, spoken by the Aztecs, has …

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Spanish Word of the Day: Negocio (business)

Negocio, meaning business in English, is a Spanish word that comes from the Latin word negotium. The neg- part of the word is a negation and otium means absence of leisure or business. Over time, the meaning evolved to refer to any business or commercial activity.  Latin American Pronunciation European Pronunciation Negocio is a masculine …

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Spanish Word of the Day: Gusto (taste / pleasure)

If you have mastered the cinco sentidos (five senses) in Spanish, you will already be aware that the word for taste is gusto. A helpful way to remember this word is to think of the more formal synonym of taste, which is gustation. The other four senses are vista (sight), oído (hearing), tacto (touch), and …

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Spanish Word of the Day: Cerdo (pig)

The word cerdo, meaning pig in English, comes from the Latin word cervus. It referred to a stag or deer, but in the transition to Vulgar Latin and eventually into Spanish, it came to refer to the domesticated pig. The itself word also evolved and became cerdo with time. Latin American Pronunciation European Pronunciation Cerdo …

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