What does the spanish word mean in english

When Spanish Words Become Our Own

Adopted and Borrowed Words Enrich English

Una alpaca. (An alpaca.).
Photo by Guido612; licensed via Creative Commons.

Rodeo, pronto, taco, enchilada — English or Spanish?

The answer, of course, is both. For English, like most languages, has expanded over the years through assimilation of words from other tongues. As people of different languages intermingle, inevitably some of the words of one language become words of the other.

It doesn’t take someone who studies etymology to look at a Spanish-language website (or the websites in nearly any other language) to see how English vocabulary, particularly as it relates to technical subjects, is spreading. And while English now may be giving more words to other languages than it is absorbing, that wasn’t always true. For the English vocabulary today is as rich as it is largely because it accepted words from Latin (mostly by way of French). But there’s also a small share of the English language that is derived from Spanish.

Words From Various Origins

Many Spanish words have come to us from three primary sources. As you can hypothesize from the list below, many of them entered American English in the days of Mexican and Spanish cowboys working in what is now the U.S. Southwest. Words of Caribbean origin entered English by way of trade. The third major source is food vocabulary, especially for foods whose names have no English equivalent, as the intermingling of cultures has expanded our diets as well as our vocabulary. As you can see, many of the words changed meaning upon entering English, often by adopting a narrower meaning than in the original language.

Spanish Words Assimilated Into English

Following is a list, by no means complete, of Spanish loanwords that have become assimilated into the English vocabulary. As noted, some of them were adopted into the Spanish language from elsewhere before they were passed on to English. Although most of them retain the spelling and even (more or less) the pronunciation of Spanish, they are all recognized as English words by at least one reference source.

A–B: Adios to Burro

  • adios (from adiós)
  • adobe (originally Coptic tobe, «brick»)
  • aficionado
  • albino
  • alcove (from Spanish alcoba, originally Arabic al-qubba)
  • alfalfa (originally Arabic al-fasfasah. Many other English words beginning with «al» were originally Arabic, and many may have had a Spanish-language connection in becoming English.)
  • alligator (from el lagarto, «the lizard»)
  • alpaca (animal similar to a llama, from Aymara allpaca)
  • armada
  • armadillo (literally, «the little armed one»)
  • arroyo (English regionalism for «stream»)
  • avocado (originally a Nahuatl word, ahuacatl)
  • bajada (a geological term referring to a type of alluvial slope at the base of a mountain, from bajada, meaning «slope»)
  • banana (word, originally of African origin, entered English via either Spanish or Portuguese)
  • bandoleer (type of belt, from bandolera)
  • barbecue (from barbacoa, a word of Caribbean origin)
  • barracuda
  • bizarre (some sources, not all, say this word came from the Spanish bizarro)
  • bonanza (although the Spanish bonanza can be used synonymously with the English cognate, it more often means «calm seas» or «fair weather»)
  • booby (from bobo, meaning «silly» or «selfish»)
  • bravo (from either Italian or Old Spanish)
  • bronco (means «wild» or «rough» in Spanish)
  • buckaroo (possibly from vaquero, «cowboy»)
  • bunco (probably from banco, «bank»)
  • burrito (literally «little donkey»)
  • burro

C: Cafeteria to Criollo

  • cafeteria (from cafetería)
  • caldera (geological term)
  • canary (Old Spanish canario entered English by way of French canarie)
  • canasta (the Spanish word means «basket»)
  • cannibal (originally of Caribbean origin)
  • canoe (the word was originally Caribbean)
  • canyon (from cañón)
  • cargo (from cargar, «to load»)
  • castanet (from castañeta)
  • chaparral (from chaparro, an evergreen oak)
  • chaps (from Mexican Spanish chaparreras)
  • chihuahua (dog breed named after Mexican city and state)
  • chile relleno (Mexican food)
  • chili (from chile, derived from Nahuatl chilli)
  • chili con carne (con carne means «with meat»)
  • chocolate (originally xocolatl, from Nahuatl, an indigenous Mexican language)
  • churro (Mexican food)
  • cigar, cigarette (from cigarro)
  • cilantro
  • cinch (from cincho, «belt»)
  • cocaine (from coca, from Quechua kúka)
  • cockroach (Two English words, «cock» and «roach,» were combined to form «cockroach.» It is believed, but isn’t certain, that the words were chosen because of their similarity to the Spanish cucaracha.)
  • coco (type of tree, from icaco, originally Arawak ikaku from the Caribbean)
  • comrade (from camarada, «roommate»)
  • condor (originally from Quechua, an indigenous South American language)
  • conquistador
  • corral
  • coyote (from the Nahuatl coyotl)
  • creole (from criollo)
  • criollo (English term refers to someone indigenous to South America; Spanish term originally referred to anyone from a particular locality)

D–G: Dago to Guerrilla

  • dago (offensive ethnic term comes from Diego)
  • dengue (Spanish imported the word from Swahili)
  • desperado
  • dorado (type of fish)
  • El Niño (weather pattern, means «The Child» due to its appearance around Christmas)
  • embargo (from embargar, to bar)
  • enchilada (participle of enchilar, «to season with chili»)
  • fajita (diminutive of faja, a belt or sash, probably so named due to strips of meat)
  • fiesta (in Spanish, it can mean a party, a celebration, a feast — or a fiesta)
  • filibuster (from filibustero, derived from Dutch vrijbuiter, «pirate»)
  • flan (a type of custard)
  • flauta (a fried, rolled tortilla)
  • flotilla
  • frijol (English regionalism for a bean)
  • galleon (from Spanish galeón)
  • garbanzo (type of bean)
  • guacamole (originally from Nahuatl ahuacam, «avocado,» and molli, «sauce»)
  • guerrilla (In Spanish, the word refers to a small fighting force. A guerrilla fighter is a guerrillero.)

H–L: Habanero to Llama

  • habanero (a type of pepper; in Spanish, the word refers to something from Havana)
  • hacienda (in Spanish, the initial h is silent)
  • hammock (from jamaca, a Caribbean Spanish word)
  • hoosegow (slang term for a jail comes from Spanish juzgado, participle of juzgar, «to judge»)
  • huarache (type of sandal)
  • hurricane (from huracán, originally an indigenous Caribbean word)
  • iguana (originally from Arawak and Carib iwana)
  • incomunicado
  • jaguar (from Spanish and Portuguese, originally from Guarani yaguar)
  • jalapeño
  • jerky (the word for dried meat comes from charqui, which in turn came from the Quechua ch’arki)
  • jicama (originally from Nahuatl)
  • key (the word for a small island comes from the Spanish cayo, possibly of Caribbean origin)
  • lariat (from la reata, «the lasso»)
  • lasso (from lazo)
  • llama (originally from Quechua)

M–N: Machete to Nopal

  • machete
  • machismo
  • macho (macho usually means simply «male» in Spanish)
  • maize (from maíz, originally from Arawak mahíz)
  • manatee (from manatí, originally from Carib)
  • mano a mano (literally, «hand to hand»)
  • margarita (a woman’s name meaning «daisy»)
  • mariachi (a type of traditional Mexican music, or a musician)
  • marijuana (usually mariguana or marihuana in Spanish)
  • matador (literally, «killer»)
  • menudo (Mexican food)
  • mesa (In Spanish it means «table,» but it also can mean «tableland,» the English meaning.)
  • mesquite (tree name originally from Nahuatl mizquitl)
  • mestizo (a type of mixed ancestry)
  • mole (The name for this delightful chocolate-chili dish is sometimes misspelled as «molé» in English in an attempt to prevent mispronunciation.)
  • mosquito
  • mulatto (from mulato)
  • mustang (from mestengo, «stray»)
  • nacho
  • nada (nothing)
  • negro (comes from either the Spanish or Portuguese word for the color black)
  • nopal (type of cactus, from Nahuatl nohpalli)

O–P: Ocelot to Punctilio

  • ocelot (originally Nahuatl oceletl; the word was adopted into Spanish and then French before becoming an English word)
  • olé (in Spanish, the exclamation can be used in places other than bullfights)
  • oregano (from orégano)
  • paella (a savory Spanish rice dish)
  • palomino (originally meant a white dove in Spanish)
  • papaya (originally Arawak)
  • patio (In Spanish, the word most often refers to a courtyard.)
  • peccadillo (from pecadillo, diminutive of pecado, «sin»)
  • peso (Although in Spanish a peso is also a monetary unit, it more generally means a weight.)
  • peyote (originally Nahuatl peyotl)
  • picaresque (from picaresco)
  • pickaninny (offensive term, from pequeño, «small»)
  • pimento (Spanish pimiento)
  • pinole (a meal made of grain and beans; originally Nahuatl pinolli)
  • pinta (tropical skin disease)
  • pinto (Spanish for «spotted» or «painted»)
  • piñata
  • piña colada (literally meaning «strained pineapple»)
  • piñon (type of pine tree, sometimes spelled «pinyon»)
  • plantain (from plátano or plántano)
  • plaza
  • poncho (Spanish adopted the word from Araucanian, an indigenous South American language)
  • potato (from batata, a word of Caribbean origin)
  • pronto (from an adjective or adverb meaning «quick» or «quickly»)
  • pueblo (in Spanish, the word can mean simply «people»)
  • puma (originally from Quechua)
  • punctilio (from puntillo, «little point,» or possibly from Italian puntiglio)

Q–S: Quadroon to Stockade

  • quadroon (from cuaterón)
  • quesadilla
  • quirt (type of riding whip, comes from Spanish cuarta)
  • ranch (Rancho often means «ranch» in Mexican Spanish, but it can also mean a settlement, camp or meal rations.)
  • reefer (drug slang, possibly from Mexican Spanish grifa, «marijuana»)
  • remuda (regionalism for a relay of horses)
  • renegade (from renegado)
  • rodeo
  • rumba (from rumbo, originally referring to the course of a ship and, by extension, the revelry aboard)
  • salsa (In Spanish, almost any kind of a sauce or gravy can be referred to as salsa.)
  • sarsaparilla (from zarza, «bramble,» and parrilla, «small vine»)
  • sassafras (from sasafrás)
  • savanna (from obsolete Spanish çavana, originally Taino zabana, «grassland»)
  • savvy (from sabe, a form of the verb saber, «to know»)
  • serape (Mexican blanket)
  • serrano (type of pepper)
  • shack (possibly from Mexican Spanish jacal, from the Nahuatl xcalli, «adobe hut»)
  • siesta
  • silo
  • sombrero (In Spanish, the word, which is derived from sombra, «shade,» can mean almost any kind of hat, not just the traditional broad-rimmed Mexican hat.)
  • spaniel (ultimately from hispania, the same root that gave us the words «Spain» and español)
  • stampede (from estampida)
  • stevedore (from estibador, one who stows or packs things)
  • stockade (from a French derivation of the Spanish estacada, «fence» or «stockade»)

T–Z: Taco to Zapateado

  • taco (In Spanish, a taco can refer to a stopper, plug or wad. In other words, a taco originally meant a wad of food. Indeed, in Mexico, the variety of tacos is almost endless, far more varied than the beef, lettuce and cheese combination of U.S.-style fast food.)
  • tamale (The Spanish singular for this Mexican dish is tamal. The English comes from an erroneous backformation of the Spanish plural, tamales.)
  • tamarillo (type of tree, derived from tomatillo, a small tomato)
  • tango
  • tejano (type of music)
  • tequila (named after a Mexican town of the same name)
  • tobacco (from tabaco, a word possibly of Caribbean origin)
  • tomatillo
  • tomato (from tomate, derived from Nahuatl tomatl)
  • toreador
  • tornado (from tronada, thunderstorm)
  • tortilla (in Spanish, an omelet often is a tortilla)
  • tuna (from atún)
  • vamoose (from vamos, a form of «to go»)
  • vanilla (from vainilla)
  • vaquero (English regionalism for a cowboy)
  • vicuña (animal similar to a llama, from Quechua wikuña)
  • vigilante (from adjective for «vigilant»)
  • vinegarroon (from vinagrón)
  • wrangler (some sources say word is derived from Mexican Spanish caballerango, one who grooms horses, while other sources say the word comes from German)
  • yucca (from yuca, originally a Caribbean word)
  • zapateado (a type of dance emphasizing movement of the heels)

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Q: What does the Spanish word can mean in English?

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“what.
Qué is also a Spanish word that means “what.” That is not, however, the word that many people are looking for when they look up que in our dictionary. Que is homophonous with a number of other words, most of which have wildly different spellings and meanings.

Contents

  • 1 How is que used in Spanish?
  • 2 What does para que mean?
  • 3 Which is correct que or queue?
  • 4 What verb do you use with que?
  • 5 What is the difference between Cual and Que in Spanish?
  • 6 What language is Porque?
  • 7 What does que mean in Italian?
  • 8 Is Que short for queue?
  • 9 What is que short for?
  • 10 Why is queue spelled like that?
  • 11 Do you conjugate after que?
  • 12 What is the difference between tener and tener que?
  • 13 How do you use Que in a sentence?
  • 14 Does TU have an accent?
  • 15 Does donde have accent?
  • 16 Is con tal de que subjunctive?
  • 17 Does tan pronto trigger subjunctive?
  • 18 What’s the difference between por and para?
  • 19 Is porque Spanish or French?
  • 20 Why is Google translated Spanish?

How is que used in Spanish?

In a question, qué with the accent mark usually means “what,” but it can also mean “which.” For example: ¿Qué lugar es más bonito, el restaurante o el cine?

“Por qué” literally means “because of what”, as in “what caused this to occur?”, whereas “para qué” literally means “in order to what?”, as in “you’re doing this in order to… what?”.

Which is correct que or queue?

Cue typically refers to a signal that encourages someone to take an action, while queue indicates an ordered line or file. Both cue and queue are pronounced like the letter Q, and are considered to be homophones. Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings.

What verb do you use with que?

After que, we use a verb in the infinitive form in Spanish. The infinitive forms always end with -ar, -er or -ir, the forms of the verb that you find in a dictionary.

What is the difference between Cual and Que in Spanish?

Generally speaking, we can say that cuál (which) is used to ask about the identity of a person or a thing in a group. Cuál is a question about choice. The pronoun qué is for questions about identity as well, but it’s used in direct questions rather than in ones that involve making a choice.

What language is Porque?

Spanish
The Spanish and Portuguese conjunction porque, “because,” ultimately comes from a Latin phrase (pro quid) literally meaning “for that.” Porque can be found in some of the earliest records we have of Rome’s daughter languages on the Iberian peninsula, even noted in a 1492 Spanish grammar.

What does que mean in Italian?

Que, along with the Italian che, comes from the Latin word quid, meaning “what.” Que is a very old word in the Romance languages.

Is Que short for queue?

One of the words that people are looking for when they look up que is queue, a word that means “line” (as in, “We waited in the ticket queue.”) Sometimes people are looking for the homonym cue, or “a signal to start or do something” (“The lights just went out—that’s my cue to start the movie.”).

What is que short for?

One of our persistent—and more puzzling—lookups is for the word que, which is entered in our dictionary (capitalized) as an abbreviation for Quebec. Qué is also a Spanish word that means “what.” That is not, however, the word that many people are looking for when they look up que in our dictionary.

Why is queue spelled like that?

The first U is there to support the convention that, in English, Q is always followed by a U. The E is there to support the convention that the U is always followed by a vowell. The sound to follow is U, which is written UE. Thus queue

Do you conjugate after que?

Another phrase of necessity that is even easier to learn because it doesn’t require any conjugation in the present tense is hay que, again followed by an infinitive. Hay is a form of haber, and because it is used as an impersonal verb, it doesn’t change with person or thing that has a necessity. Hay que ser muy listo.

What is the difference between tener and tener que?

Meanwhile tener means to have, tener que means to have to.

How do you use Que in a sentence?

Look at these sentences using que:

  1. La femme que je dessine. The woman whom I am drawing.
  2. Les fleurs que Paul sent. The flowers which/that Paul is smelling.
  3. Le bébé joue avec la peluche que sa maman adore. The baby is playing with the cuddly toy that his mum loves.

Does TU have an accent?

The Spanish “tú”
Tú is a subject personal pronoun. It has a written accent on the u. The direct English translation is you (singular informal).

Does donde have accent?

Donde without written accent means “where” and is used in sentences which are neither questions nor hidden questions/exclamative sentences. In other words it’s a relative adverb.

Is con tal de que subjunctive?

We always danced for her… so that the harvest was good. Because the subjunctive often occurs in subordinate clauses, the subordinating conjunction que is usually found before the the subjunctive forms. Quieren que yo les haga un trabajo.
Conjunctions with Subjunctive.

para que so that
ojalá hopefully
tal vez maybe

Does tan pronto trigger subjunctive?

Some of the more frequent adverbial conjunctions which may take either the indicative or the subjunctive: cuando (when), hasta que (until), después de que (after), tan pronto como (as soon as), mientras (while).

What’s the difference between por and para?

Por is for reason, para is for purpose
For example: Estudio español por mi trabajo. I’m studying Spanish because of my job. Use para to describe the purpose behind doing something.

Is porque Spanish or French?

Por que means “for which” in Spanish. Porqué is a noun meaning “reason” in Spanish.

Why is Google translated Spanish?

By default, Google auto translation is enabled in both Google Chrome and when using Google Toolbar. The auto translation feature lets Google automatically translate the text on Web pages where the text is from a language you don’t speak into a language that you do.

Emmett Nelson

Emmett Nelson is a travel writer and adventurer. He’s explored more than 50 countries on six continents, and his writing has appeared in outlets such as BBC Travel, Lonely Planet, and National Geographic. Emmett is also the author of “The Great American Road Trip: A Guide to Exploring the USA.” When he’s not on the road, Emmett calls Los Angeles home.

spanish — перевод на русский

That Spanish castle I built in my mind

Тот испанский замок, что я выстроил в мечтах,

Or else they’re so homely you can’t get rid of them at all… and they hang around the house like Spanish moss… and shame you into an early grave.

Или же они настолько привыкают, что вы не можете избавиться от них совсем … и висят по всему дому как испанский мох … и сводят вас в раннюю могилу.

That’s spanish, isn’t it, scott?

— Это испанский, не так ли, Скотт?

This man has his Spanish gold ounce.

У этого человека есть испанский золотой.

— Ah, it is not Spanish.

— Гмм… это не испанский…

Показать ещё примеры для «испанский»…

Sorry, but we don’t understand Spanish.

Простите, но мы не понимаем по-испански.

She doesn’t even speak Spanish.

Она даже не говорит по-испански.

That’s Spanish.

Это по-испански.

Because I speak Spanish and have studied ordnance.

Я говорю по-испански и изучал артиллерию.

I don’t speak any Spanish.

Я не говорю по-испански.

Показать ещё примеры для «по-испански»…

— We are the Spanish who do not retreat.

Испанцы, которые не отступили.

All of us here are Spanish, and we know what we want and what we will have to pay to go to Ávila.

Мы все испанцы и знаем, чего хотим. Нам известна цена похода на Авилу.

The Spanish didn’t think so.

Испанцы так не думали.

Us spanish are never afraid.

Мы, испанцы, никогда и ничего не боимся.

Many years ago… the Spanish explorers discovered their piece of heaven… nestled in the Springfield Mountains.

Много лет назад испанцы нашли рай в горах Спрингфилда.

Показать ещё примеры для «испанцы»…

Spanish, you know.

Испанка.

— Maybe the Spanish flu.

— Может, испанка .

But the one he had was Spanish.

Но у него была испанка.

Показать ещё примеры для «испанка»…

What, in Spain they don’t speak Spanish?

Что? вы не говорите по Испански в Испании?

You speak Chinese, I speak Spanish.

Ты говоришь по Китайски, а я по Испански.

don’t you understand Spanish?

Вы не понимаете по Испански?

Baby, you can’t just speak Spanish to my little African princess.

Детка, нельзя говорить по испански с моей африканской принцессой.

It’s Italian, not Spanish.

Это по итальянски — а не по испански!

Показать ещё примеры для «по испански»…

The deposed Spanish king Ferdinand will sign a treaty which ends the war between France and Spain.

Свергнутый король Испании Фердинанд подпишет договор, который прекратит войну между Францией и Испанией.

He had some kind of special military training where he learned Spanish, in El Salvador, I think.

Имеет неплохую военную подготовку. Бывал в Испании и Сальвадоре.

I’m sure he’s not representative of all you Spanish people.

Я уверен, что он не является типичным представителем Испании.

The poor Spanish doctors say I’m fine now, but that a break in Paris couldn’t do any harm.

Знаешь, мой доктор в Испании, он говорит, что я сейчас в порядке. Он настоял на том, чтобы я проверилась во время отпуска в Париже, представляешь?

That’s why there are no Spanish hockey players.

Поэтому и нет хоккеистов из Испании.

Показать ещё примеры для «испании»…

Dr. Scott tells me she went into a trance tonight… spoke some words they thought were spanish.

Доктор Скотт сказал мне, что она была в трансе сегодня… говорила какие-то слова, они подумали, что это был испанский язык.

The French officers wanted to learn Spanish so my mother superior assigned the task to me, I also speak French.

Офицеры хотели изучать испанский язык, и настоятельница поручила это мне. Я говорю еще и по-французски.

You know, Jacob… I think that he’s beginning to understand Spanish.

Знаешь, Яков… мне кажется, что он начинает понимать испанский язык.

My mother wouldn’t let me learn Spanish.

Со своей матерью я не смог бы даже испанский язык выучить.

studying… spanish.

Испанский язык.

Показать ещё примеры для «испанский язык»…

Now enters His Holiness, Torquemada, the Grand Inquisitor of the Spanish Inquisition.

Его Преосвященство, Торквемада. Великий идеолог Испанской Инквизиции…

— What is this, the Spanish Inquisition?

— Это что, допрос испанской инквизиции?

Let the children have fun without bringing in the Spanish Inquisition. My lips are buttoned, right now.

Пусть дети развлекаются, обойдёмся без испанской инквизиции.

And this is Thomas Torquemada, head of the Spanish Inquisition, and now a physical fitness expert.

А это — Томас Торквемада, глава Испанской Инквизиции, он теперь эксперт физический пригодности.

After the Spanish inquisition, I was thinking we deserve an extra-long honeymoon.

После испанской инквизиции, мы заслужили супер-длинный медовый месяц.

Показать ещё примеры для «испанской инквизиции»…

(Spanish accent) Bitches be loco.

— Сучки — чокнутые. — Правда (исп.).

[Speaks Spanish]

Мы прощаемся с тобой с великим почтением (исп.)

[Speaks Spanish]

Брат мой (исп.)

[Speaks Spanish] Are you sure about this?

Боже мой (исп.) Ты уверена?

(speaking Spanish) _

Этот Пит Кэмпбелл — сукин сын. (исп)

Показать ещё примеры для «исп»…

But I’d like Spanish fly!

но я хотел шпанской мтшки!

A remedy for flatulence, he said. In fact they were an aphrodisiac— -made of dried tiger beetle and Spanish fly.

На самом деле, это были возбуждающие, любовные пастилки, изготовленные из высушенных тигровых жуков и толченой шпанской мушки…

First drink was spiked with a medley of LSD and Spanish Fly.

Первый раз я выпил смесь ЛСД и шпанской мушки.

With Spanish fly.

Шпанской мушкой.

Spanish flies!

Шпанские мушки!

Показать ещё примеры для «шпанской»…

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of English language words whose origin can be traced to the Spanish language as «Spanish loan words». Words typical of «Mock Spanish» used in the United States are listed separately.

A[edit]

abaca
via Spanish abacá from Tagalog abaká
abalone
from Spanish , from Ohlone aluan or Rumsen awlun.
adios
from Spanish ‘adiós’ meaning «goodbye» < latin ad deus «to god» (short for «a Dios seas», «a Dios seades», literally, «may (you) be (commended) to God»)
adobe
From Egyptian via Arabic «Al-tub»
aficionado
from past participle of aficionar, to inspire affection, from afición affection, from Latin affection-, affectio, from afficere .
albatross
from alcatraz, see below.
Alcalde
from alcalde, magistrate.
Alcatraz
(meaning «gannet») from Arabic غطاس al-ġaţţās («the diver»)
alidade
via French, Spanish alidada and Medieval Latin alhidade from Arabic العهدة al-idada, «the revolving radius»
alligator
from el lagarto, «the lizard» < latín lacartus < lacertus.
alpaca
via Spanish, from Aymara allpaqa
aludel
from Old French alutel, via Spanish and Medieval Latin from Arabic الأثال al-ʾuṯāl, «the sublimation vessel»
amigo
from Spanish and/or Portuguese amigo, «friend»; from Latin amicus meaning «friend,» derived from amare (to love).
amole
Mexican Spanish from Nahautl amolli meaning «soap root.»[1]
amontillado
from the village of Montilla «little mount», Province of Córdoba, Spain
ancho
from Mexican Spanish (chile) ancho, «wide (chili)» < latin amplus
anchovy
from Spanish anchoa or more probably Portuguese anchova meaning «bluefish»; from Genoese or Corsican dialect; ultimately from Latin apua meaning «small fish» and Greek Αφυε aphye meaning «small fry» or from Basque anchuva meaning «dry»[2]
Angeleno
from American Spanish
Apache
from Mexican Spanish from Yavapai epache meaning «people» or from Zuni apachu meaning «enemy»[3]
armada
«armed [fleet]» from the Spanish navy, La armada española
armadillo
from armadillo, «little armored one»
arroyo
from arroyo, «stream» < arrugium
avocado
alteration of Spanish aguacate, from Nahuatl ahuacatl.
ayahuasca
via Spanish from Quechua ayawaska meaning «soul vine.»

B[edit]

banana
from Spanish or Portuguese banana, probably from a Wolof word,[4] or from Arabic بأننا “ba’ nana” fingers[5]
bandolier
from Spanish bandolero, meaning «band (for a weapon or other) that crosses from one shoulder to the opposite hip» and bandolero, loosely meaning «he who wears a bandolier»
barbeque
from barbacoa, from Spanish, taken from Caribbean Taínos barbacu, cooking set-up with wood tray at a height over fire
barracuda
from barracuda May have come from barraco, meaning overlapping tooth
barranca
from Spanish barranca or barranco, ravine
barrio
from Spanish barrio, «neighborhood», from Arabic بري barri, wild
bastinado
from bastonada, from Spanish bastón, cane
bodega
from Spanish and/or Portuguese bodega, meaning cellar < latin-greek aphothekam.
bodegón
from bodegón
bolero
from Spanish bolero
bonanza
from bonanza meaning «prosperity» < latin bonantia < bonus «good».
bonito
from Spanish bonito, meaning «beautiful» < latin bonus «good».
breeze
from brisa «cold northeast wind» or from Frisian briesen — to blow (wind)[6]
bronco
from bronco meaning «coarse»
buckaroo
from vaquero meaning «cowboy», ultimately from Latin «vaccarium» «cowboy» (vacca «cow»).
burrito
diminutive of burro, a dish originally from Northern Mexico, literally «little donkey»
burro
from burro, «donkey» < latin burricus «small horse».

C[edit]

caballero
from Spanish caballero meaning «knight/gentleman», from caballo, «horse», Celtic caballos «horse».
cabana
from Spanish cabaña or Portuguese cabana < latin < capanna; both meaning «cabin»
cacique
from Spanish, from Taíno cacike or Arawak kassequa, both meaning a chief
cafeteria
from cafetería, «coffee store»
calaboose
from Vulgar Latin calafodium «to dig a protected place» and Louisiana French calabouse, from Spanish calabozo[7]
caldera
from Spanish caldera meaning «cauldron» from Latin caldaria, «cooking pot.»
California
place name first seen in print in 1510 Spanish novel ‘Las sergas de Esplandián’ by Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo
camarilla
from camarilla, «small room» diminutive of cámara «room» < latin camara.
camino
from camino a path or road, from Celtic cammanos «road».
cannibal
from Spanish caníbal, alteration of caríbal, from Caribe
canoe
from Spanish canoa, from Haitian canaoua
canyon
from cañón with same meaning. Derived from caño, «a pipe, tube, gorge, tube;» ultimately from Latin canna meaning «reed.»[8]
carabao
from Spanish from Visayan language kalabaw, from Malay language kerabau.
caramba
from Spanish, meaning «heck»; expression of dread, displeasure, or disapproval, euphemism for carajo
carbonado
from carbonada, from carbón meaning «coal»
cargo
from the verb cargar meaning «to load»
Caribbean
from Spanish Caribe, from name of Carib Indians of the region.
cassava
from cazabe, from Taíno caçábi
caudillo
from caudillo, from Latin capitellium «head» meaning «leader»
cedilla
from cedilla, archaic spelling zedilla (little z)
chaparral
from Spanish, chaparro loosely meaning small evergreen oak, from Basque txapar, «small, short»
chaps
from Mexican Spanish chaparreras, leg protectors for riding through chaparral
chayote
from Spanish, literally: «squash», from Nahuatl chayotl meaning «spiny squash»
chicha
from Spanish chicha, from Kuna chichab, meaning «maize» or from Nahuatl chichiatl, «fermented water.»
chicle
from chicle «gum», from Nahuatl tzictli «squishy stuff» or Mayan tsicte.[9]
chile
from Spanish chile, from Nahuatl chilli
chipotle
from Spanish, smoked jalapeño, from Nahuatl chilpoctli
chocolate
from Spanish chocolate, from Nahuatl xocolatl meaning «hot water» or from a combination of the Mayan word chocol meaning «hot» and the Nahuatl word atl meaning «water.»
Choctaw
from the native name Chahta of unknown meaning but also said to come from Spanish chato (=»flattened») because of the tribe’s custom of flattening the heads of male infants.[10]
chorizo
from chorizo, «sausage»
churro
from churro, «fritter»
cienega or cienaga
from ciénaga, «swamp» < latin caenus «mud» and native suffix -aka, caénaka.
cigar
from Spanish cigarro meaning «fag (UK), stogie, stogy», from Mayan sicar or sic, «tobacco»
cigarette
from French cigarette «little weed», diminutive of French cigare «stogie», from Spanish cigarro meaning «fag (UK), stogie, stogy.»
cilantro
from Spanish cilantro < latin coriandrum, «coriander»
coca
from Spanish, coca meaning «coke», from Quechua kuka
cockroach
from Spanish cucaracha
cocoa or cacao
from Spanish cacao, from Nahuatl cacáhuatl
cojones
from Spanish cojones < latin coleones meaning «balls, testicles», to denote courage
Colorado
from Spanish colorado < latin coloratus, red or colored
comrade
from French camarade meaning «friend», from Spanish camarada < latin camara «room», «pal, mate»
condor
from Spanish, from Quechua kuntur
conquistador
from conquistador meaning «conqueror», from conquista < latin conquisita, «conquest»
coquina
from coquina, dim. form of «concha» meaning seashell; a sedimentary rock of NE Florida
cordillera
from cordillera, «range» < cordel «cord».
corral
from corral meaning «pen, yard» from Portuguese curral meaning «pen» of unknown; perhaps ultimately from Afrikaans kraal or from Vulgar Latin currale loosely meaning «enclosure for vehicles.»[11]
corrida
a bullfight (literally: «raced»)
coyote
from Spanish coyote, from Nahuatl coyotl
cowboy
from Spanish vaquero, an individual who managed cattle while mounted on horseback, from vaca, «cow», from Latin vacca
creole
from French créole, from Spanish criollo, from Portuguese crioulo, raised in the house
crimson
from Old Spanish cremesín, via Medieval Latin cremesinus from Arabic قيرميزل qirmizI, from Persian قرمز qermez kermes; ultimately from Sanskrit कृमिज krmi-ja meaning «worm-made.»[12]
crusade
blend of Middle French croisade and Spanish cruzada; both ultimately from Latin crux, crucis «cross»
cuadrilla
from cuadrilla «group of people» diminutive of cuadro «square» < latin quadrus.
cumbia
from Spanish cumbia, a popular dance (for couples) originating in Colombia.

D[edit]

daiquiri
from Daiquiri, a port city in eastern Cuba
dengue
from Spanish dengue meaning «fever», from Swahili dinga, «seizure»
derecho
from Spanish derecho meaning «straight» or «masculine of right side» < latin directum, a widespread and long-lived convection-induced straight-line windstorm
descamisado
from Spanish descamisado, «without a shirt» < camisa «shirt» < celtic kamisia.
desperado
from Spanish desesperado, desperate
doubloon
from Spanish doblón : meaning «two-sided» for two-headed coin («doble» is double in Spanish < latin duplex).

E[edit]

El Dorado
from El Dorado, literally, «the golden one»
El Niño
from El Niño de la Navidad, literally, «the Christmas child» due to the warming of Pacific waters seemed to warm around Christmas
embarcadero
from embarcadero a boat dock, from barca «rowboat».
embargo
from Spanish embargar, to «seize» or «impound» < latin imbarricare.
escabeche
from escabeche, «pickle» < Arabic assukkabáǧ.
escopeteros
from Spanish escopetero, «musketeer», from escopeta «shotgun» < italian schioppetto.

F[edit]

Federales
from Federales, «federal police»
fiesta
from the Spanish fiesta meaning «party» < latin festa
Flamenco
«Spanish genre of music and dance typical of the gypsies». From Dutch flaming «from Flanders» (in the past it was believed that the gypsies were of German origin)
Florida
from La Florida, the flowery or plant-filled place or pascua florida, «flowery Easter.»
flotilla
diminutive of flota, «fleet»

G[edit]

galleon
from Spanish «galeón» (a large sailing ship having three or more masts, from the 15th to 18th century)
gaucho
from Mapuche «Argentine cowboy»
gracias
from Latin expression gratias agere («to give thanks»)
gringo
probably from griego («Greek»), in reference to the language (cf. Greek to me), and originally referring to any type of foreigner
guacamole
via American Spanish from Nahuatl ahuaca-molli («avocado sauce»)[13]
guerrilla
from Spanish obsolete meaning «small war» or current meaning «fire-armed group» (raised out of unbalanced democracy) from guerra «war» < Gothic werra «war» (Spanish pronunciation: [ɡeˈriʎa])

H[edit]

habanero
from the Spanish for the name of the Cuban city of La Habana, which is known as Havana in English. Although it is not the place of origin, it was frequently traded there.
hacienda
from Old Spanish facienda, «estate»
hackamore
from Spanish jaquima, «halter.»
hola
Spanish greeting, equivalent to «hello»
Hispano
From Spanish hispanic. Also came from Latin Hispania, the whole Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal) called by Romans.
hombre
from Spanish hombre, «man» < medieval homre < latin hominis
hoosegow
from Spanish juzgado, courthouse, from juzgar < latin iudicare «to judge»
hurricane
from Spanish huracán, from Taíno hurákan; akin to Arawak kulakani, thunder

I[edit]

Inca
via Spanish inca, from Quechua Inka, literally: «lord, king.»[14]
incommunicado
from incomunicado, without communication (in the mountains, in the jail,…), «in solitary confinement.»
iguana
from Spanish iguana from Arawak iwana.

J[edit]

jade
from Spanish piedra de ijada, «stone of flank.»
jalapeño
from Spanish, a type of spicy chilli named after Jalapa de Enríquez, a town in Mexico, and the capital of the state of Veracruz
jerky
via Spanish charqui, from Quechua ch’arki, «dried flesh»
junta
from Spanish junta literally «joint»; a board of joint administration; sometimes used to refer to military officers command in a coup d’état. As an adjective, it means «together».

K[edit]

key
from Spanish cayo, from Taíno cayo (this is English ‘key’/’cay’/’quay’ as in an island, reef or a linked series of them, not the ‘key’ with which one locks/unlocks doors)

L[edit]

La Niña
«The little girl», complementary weather pattern to (q.v.) El Niño
lariat
from la reata, meaning «the strap, rein, or rope» from reatar («to tie again») from atar «to tie (up);» from Latin aparte, «to join.»[15]
lasso
via American English from Spanish lazo meaning «tie; or rope» ultimately from Latin laqueum, «noose, snare.»[16]
Latino
English short for the Spanish word latinoamericano, formed by latino «related to the Latin empire and language» and americano «from the Americas»
llama
via Spanish llama, from Quechua llama
Llanos
from Spanish llano «plain» < latin planus; vast tropical grassland plain situated to the east of the Andes in Colombia and Venezuela.
loco
from loco, «mad» or «crazy»
Lolita
from the diminutive for Lola, short for Dolores

M[edit]

macho
from macho «male, brave» < latin masculus, the property of being overtly masculine.
majordomo
via Spanish mayordomo or Italian maggiordomo (both meaning «butler») from Latin maior domus meaning «mayor of the place.»
mano
from mano, «hand». Stone handtool
manzanilla
from Spanish manzanilla, a natural tea for some superficial pains. The word is diminutive of manzana «apple»
marijuana
from Spanish marihuana meaning cannabis.
maroon
from the Spanish cimarrón, which was derived from an Arawakan root
matador
from matador meaning «killer» from matar («to kill») probably from Arabic مات mata meaning «he died», also possibly cognate with Persian مردن mordan, «to die» as well as English «murder.» Another theory is that the word «matador» is derived from a combination of the Vulgar Latin mattāre, from Late Latin mactare (to slaughter, kill) and the Latin -tor (which is cognate with Greek τορ -tōr and Sanskrit तर -tar-.)[17]
merengue
a type of music and dance originating in the Dominican Republic
mesa
from mesa, table < latin mensa. The corresponding Spanish word to a flat top mountain is meseta
mescal
from Spanish mezcal, from Nahuatl mexcalli
mesquite
from Mexican Spanish mezquite, from Nahuatl mizquitl
mestizo
from mestizo «racially mixed» < latin mixticius «mixed» or «mongrel», in Spanish, refers to a person of mixed European and Native American descent.
mojito
dim. formed from «mojado» (wet or dripping) probably referring to the mint leaves in the well known Cuban drink
mole
also from Spanish as Guacamole, from Nahuatl molle or molli («sauce»)
Montana
from montaña, a mountain
mosquito
from mosquito, literally «little fly» < mosca «fly» < latin musca.
mulatto
from Spanish or Portuguese mulato meaning «octoroon, sambo» from mulo «mule» > «hybrid». in Spanish, refers to a person of mixed European-African descent.
mustang
from mustango, mestengo, mestencoor mesteño, «without known master or owner» (archaic)
mustee
from mestizo, «racially mixed.»or «mongrel»

N[edit]

nacho
from Nacho, a nickname for the given name Ignacio, inventor of the snack
nada
from «nada» meaning » nothing.»[18]
Negro
from Spanish, Portuguese, or Italian negro, «black», from Latin nigrum (nom. niger) and Greek νέγρος négros, both meaning «black.».[19] In Spanish it might be derogatory (depending on intonation and facial expression on some Latin countries).
Nevada
from Nevada («snowy») after the Sierra Nevada («snowy mountains»)
nostromo
from nuestro amo, «our master».

O[edit]

olé
an interjection, an expression of approval or triumph, similar to the Italian bravo (capable), by spectators of bull fights or football (soccer) matches
oregano
from orégano, «marjoram»

P[edit]

pachuco
from pachuco, «fancy-dresser.» or «unsuitable or bad-looking attire»
paella
from Spanish paella, from Valencian paella «pan» and the dish name. Originated in Latin patella, also meaning «pan.»
palmetto
from palmito, «palm heart, little palm», diminutive form of the word for palm.
pampa
via Spanish, from Quechua pampa, plain
papaya
from papaya, akin to Arawak papáia
páramo
from Spanish páramo (moorland)
patio
from patio, inner courtyard, «an open paved area adjacent to a home»
peccadillo
from pecadillo, «small sin»
peccary
from Spanish pecarí, from Carib pakira or paquira.[20]
peon
from Spanish peón («laborer»)
peyote
from Spanish, from Nahuatl peyotl («caterpillar»)
Philippines
via Spanish Filipinas from Latin Philippinae, «islands of king Philip II of Spain»; ultimately from Greek Φιλιππίναι Philippinai from the Greek phrase Φίλος ίππος Νησιά Fílos Íppos Ni̱sí, «Islands of the Horse Friend.»
piccadill
from picadillo, «hash»
pimento or pimiento
from pimiento, «pepper.»
piña colada
from Spanish piña (pineapple), and colada, which means strained, from the Spanish verb colar («to strain»)
piñata
from piñata («jug, pot») from Latin pinea, «pine cone.» or «birthday batting-pony game for kids»[21]
piñon or pinyon
from piñón, «pine»
pinta
from pinta, «he/she/it paints»; also archaic Spanish for pintada, «painted»
Pinto
from pintar, «to paint»; a white horse with a coat «painted» in large patterns of any other color.
piragua
from Carib language
pisco
from pisco, «turkey»
placer mining
from placer, «sand bank» or «pleasure»
platinum
from platina, «little silver» (now platino)
playa
from playa, «beach» < latin plagea
plaza
from plaza, «public square, spot or place» < latin platea.
politico
from Spanish or Italian político meaning «politician, political agent;»[22] ultimately from Latin politicus meaning «of citizens or the state, civil, civic,» from Greek πολιτικός (Ancient Greek: πολῑτικός) politikos, «of citizens or the state,» from πολίτης (plural: πολίτες) polites (citizen) from πόλις polis, «city.»[23]
poncho
from poncho, from Araucanian pontho meaning «woolen fabric.»[24] or «Short of Proper name Alfonso»
potato
from Peninsular Spanish patata, itself from batata, «sweet potato», from Taíno and papa, «potato» from Quechua
potrero
from potrero, archaic term for «tongue of land»
pronto
from Spanish «soon, prompt»
pronunciamento
from pronunciamiento proclamation, «military coup d’état», usually establishing a military dictatorship (often a junta)
puma
from Spanish «cougar, panther», from Quechua
pueblo
via Castilian pueblo from Latin populus («people») or «Population of Country-side or outskirts».

Q[edit]

quadroon
from cuarterón, «fourth»
quesadilla
from quesadilla meaning a traditional Mexican dish made with tortillas and cheese, diminutive of queso, cheese.
quetzal
from Spanish, from Nahuatl «quetzalli»: a group of colourful birds of the trogon family found in tropical regions of the Americas. It also may refer to Guatemalan quetzal, the currency of Guatemala.
quinoa
via Spanish quinua, from Quechua kinwa
quinceañera
from Spanish quince años, literally: «fifteen-year-old-girl»; a girl’s fifteenth birthday celebration similar to a «sweet sixteen»; with special rituals in South America.
Quixotism/Quixotic
from fictional character Don Quixote as in «tilting at windmills»
quirt
from Spanish cuarta literally: «quarter»; a short horseman’s whip, from «one fourth» (of a vara)

R[edit]

ranch
from rancho, a very small rural community, smaller than a town; also a very humble dwelling in South American Spanish.
reconquista
from reconquista, «reconquest»
remuda
from Mexican Spanish remudar, to exchange (horses)
renegade
from renegado, «turncoat, heretic, disowned»
rhumba
from rumba synomyn of Big-Party
rincon
from rincón, «meadow» or «corner-side»
robalo
from Spanish róbalo meaning «bass, sea wolf,» a tropical marine game and fish food
roble
from Spanish roble, «oak tree» < latin roboris.
rodeo
from rodeo and verb rodear (to go around) or «go-after and animal»
rumba
from rumba or «farra» synomyn of Big-Party

S[edit]

saguaro
from saguaro, from Piman
salsa
from salsa, «sauce»
sapodilla
from zapotillo
sarabande
from French sarabande in turn from Spanish zarabanda
savanna
from sabana, «veld», from Taíno zabana
savvy
from Spanish or Portuguese sabe, «knows»; sabio, «wise, learned» < latin sapidus «with sapience».
shack
perhaps from Mexican Spanish jacal meaning «hut», from Nahuatl xacalli
sherry
from Old Spanish Xerés [ʃeˈɾes], modern Spanish Jerez [xeˈɾeθ].
sierra
from sierra, a mountain range
Sierra Nevada
literally «snowy mountains»
siesta
from siesta, «nap», from Latin Sexta [hora] «sixth hour»
silo
from silo
sombrero
from sombrero (literally, shade maker), «hat»
stampede
from estampida
stevedore
from estibador (literally, one who stuffs), «ship loader»
stockade
from a French derivation of the Spanish estocada, «stab»
suave
meaning «charming, confident, and elegant» < latin suavis «sweet».

T[edit]

taco
from taco, «plug»[25] or from Portugues Bat
tamale
from Spanish tamales, pl. of tamal, from Nahuatl tamalli meaning dumpling made from corn flour
tango
from Spanish tango.
tapioca
from tapioca, «cassava»
ten-gallon hat
from Spanish tan galán meaning «so gallant (looking)»; alternate theory is the gallon of Texas English here is a misunderstanding of galón meaning braid
temblor
Spanish for trembling, or earthquake; from temblar, to shake, from Vulgar Latin *tremulāre, from Latin tremulus
tequila
from tequila, from the town Tequila, where the beverage originated
telenovela or telenovella
from telenovela, «soap opera» or to some extent «TV-drama-show»
tilde
from tilde from Spanish ‘ symbol above some vowels
tobacco
from Spanish (Nahuatl influenced) tabaco, «snuff»
tomatillo
from Spanish tomatillo, «small tomato» (see Physalis philadelphica)
tomato
from Spanish tomate, from Nahuatl xitomatl
torero
from toro, «bull»
tornado
from Spanish tronada, «thunderstorm», influenced by tornar, «to turn»
tortilla
from tortilla, literally «small cake». In Mexico is a type of thin flatbread made of finely ground wheat flour. Now is called «omelet» in Spain
tostada (toast) and tostada (tortilla)
from tostada, «toasted»
tuna
from Spanish atún, from Arabic تون tun, from Latin thunnus, from Greek θύννος, thynnos (=tuna fish)
turista
from turista, «tourist» as either gender M/F

V[edit]

vamoose
from vamos, meaning «let’s go»
vanilla
from Spanish vainilla, diminutive of Latin vaina, from vagina meaning «pod»[26]
vaquero
from the Spanish word vaquero
vertigo
from the Spanish word vértigo
vicugna
via Spanish, from Quechua wik’uña
vigilante
from Spanish vigilante, meaning «watchman.» < latin vigiliā «sleepless night, vigil».

W[edit]

wop
from Italian guappone, from Spanish guapo, «handsome» or «attractive».

Y[edit]

yerba buena
from Spanish yerbabuena meaning «good herb» (infused in Tea which has a Mint smell) < latin erbam bonam

Z[edit]

Zorro
from Spanish zorro, a fox, originally «smart» (of Basque origin)

See also[edit]

  • List of Spanish words of Indigenous American Indian origin
  • List of U.S. place names of Spanish origin
  • List of English–Spanish interlingual homographs

References[edit]

  1. ^ Harper, Douglas. «amole». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  2. ^ Harper, Douglas. «anchovy». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  3. ^ Harper, Douglas. «Apache». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  4. ^ Harper, Douglas. «banana». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  5. ^ Dan Keppel, Banana, Hudson Street Press, 2008; p. 44.
  6. ^ Harper, Douglas. «breeze». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  7. ^ Harper, Douglas. «calaboose». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  8. ^ Harper, Douglas. «canyon». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  9. ^ «chicle», Mexicolore
  10. ^ Harper, Douglas. «Choctaw». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  11. ^ Harper, Douglas. «corral». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  12. ^ Harper, Douglas. «crimson». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  13. ^ Harper, Douglas. «guacamole». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  14. ^ Harper, Douglas. «Inca». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  15. ^ Harper, Douglas. «lariat». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  16. ^ Harper, Douglas. «lasso». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  17. ^ «matador», dictionary.com
  18. ^ «nada», dictionary.com
  19. ^ Harper, Douglas. «Negro». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  20. ^ Harper, Douglas. «peccary». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  21. ^ Harper, Douglas. «pinata». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  22. ^ Harper, Douglas. «politico». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  23. ^ Harper, Douglas. «politic». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  24. ^ Harper, Douglas. «poncho». Online Etymology Dictionary.
  25. ^ «taco», Wordreference.com translation
  26. ^ Harper, Douglas. «vanilla». Online Etymology Dictionary.

External links[edit]

  • Montague, Artur, El elemento español en el vocabulario inglés: prolegómenos a una lista. AIH. Actas IV (1971). (in Spanish)
  • Online Etymology Dictionary
  • List of English words of Spanish origin

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