Compound words in Spanish
How to recognize them, how they are formed.
Mosaic street art in Valpariso, Chile – Un picaflor o un colibrí. Banner Photo is of a field of ‘girasoles’ en la Pampa Argentina.
Post 236/365
Viernes, 17 de noviembre de 2017
Hi!
Thanks so much for stopping by Spanish Blog 365
Today let’s look at compound words. These are some of my favorite words in Spanish.
Compound words in Spanish
Las palabras compuestas
Here are some great everyday compound words in Spanish
1. rascacielos – skyscraper
2. parabrisas – windshield
3. abrelatas – can opener
4. paraguas – umbrella
5. lavaplatos – dishwasher
The way a compound word is formed in Spanish is like this
the first part is a verb
the second a noun
Por ejemplo:
1. rascacielos is made up of the verb rascar-to scrape or scratch and the noun cielo–sky (scrape the sky)
2. parabrisas is parar-to stop and brisas-breezes
3. abrelatas is abrir-to open and latas-cans
4. paraguas is parar-to stop the waters
5. lavaplatos is lavar-to wash the plates/dishes
More Compounds Words in Spanish
Here are some others. Can you guess what they mean?
6. sacacorchos – sacar-to take out, corchos-cork
7. rompecabezas – romper-to break, cabeza-head
8. girasol – girar-to turn, sol-sun
9. tocadiscos – tocar-to play, disco-disc
10. salvavidas – salvar-to save, vidas-life
11. cazatalentos – cazar-to hunt, talentos-talent
12. saltamontes – saltar-to jump, montes-mountain
Extra credit triple compound word
Limpiaparabrisas
Look below for a translation, if needed, and the extra credit triple compound word
Action steps: Keep your eyes open for compound words in Spanish. There are a lot of them! Find the verb, see the noun.
Traducción
6. sacacorchos – corkscrew
7. rompecabezas – a puzzle
8. girasol – a sunflower
9. tocadiscos – record or a CD player
10. salvavidas – lifesaver
11. cazatalentos – talent hunter or cazacabezas=head hunter
12. saltamontes – a grasshopper
Extra credit triple compound word
Limpiaparabrisas – windshieldwipers (limpiar + parar + brisas)
Foto – picaflor = picar-to peck + flor=flower = a hummingbird
Do you have a favorite compound word in Spanish? Leave me a note and let me know.
Muchas gracias y hasta mañana,
Carolina
