bajo
Lemma Details
Translation: low; short; under; beneath; bass; low-pitched
Part of Speech: adjective, preposition, noun, adverb
Etymology: Derived from Latin 'bassus' meaning 'low, short'. This Latin term evolved into 'bajo' in Spanish. The English cognate 'bass' (as in bass voice or bass guitar) shares this same Latin root. The semantic connection between height/depth and sound pitch exists in both languages.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 60%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El niño es muy bajo para su edad.
The boy is very short for his age.
El libro está bajo la mesa.
The book is under the table.
Habla en voz baja, por favor.
Speak in a low voice, please.
Toca el bajo en una banda de rock.
He plays the bass in a rock band.
Los precios están muy bajos este mes.
Prices are very low this month.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'bajo' as 'below' - they both start with 'b' and refer to something low or underneath.
- For the musical meaning, remember that a bass guitar is played 'bajo' (low) on the musical scale.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
In Spanish culture, height is often commented on more freely than in English-speaking cultures. Calling someone 'bajo' is generally not considered offensive, just descriptive. As a musical term, 'el bajo' is important in many Spanish and Latin American musical traditions.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'bajo' can be an adjective meaning 'low/short', 'baja' can be either the feminine form of this adjective or a noun meaning 'withdrawal' or 'discharge'.
This word:
El hombre es bajo.
The man is short.
Confused word:
Pidió la baja por enfermedad.
He requested sick leave.
Notes: 'Baja' as a noun often appears in administrative or employment contexts.
Mnemonic: Remember that 'baja' with an 'a' can mean 'to leave' (as in 'baja médica' - medical leave).
Explanation: 'Bajo' as a preposition means 'under/beneath' while 'abajo' is an adverb meaning 'downstairs' or 'down below'.
Confused word:
Vamos abajo a cenar.
Let's go downstairs to eat dinner.
Notes: 'Abajo' indicates direction or position, while 'bajo' as a preposition indicates relationship.
Mnemonic: Think of 'abajo' as 'a' (to) + 'bajo' (low) = 'to below'.