Spanish Word of the Day: Pera (pear)

Pears are one of the yummiest and healthiest fruits around. These sweet and juicy fruits are called pera, meaning pear in English. The word originates from the Latin word pira, which is the plural form of pirium, meaning pear in English. Latin American Pronunciation European Pronunciation Pera is a feminine noun that takes the following …

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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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