devastación
Lemma Details
Translation: devastation; destruction; ravage; havoc
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: From Latin 'devastatio', derived from 'devastare' (to lay waste), which combines 'de' (completely) and 'vastare' (to make empty or waste). The English cognate 'devastation' shares the same Latin root, making this a transparent cognate that maintains both form and meaning across languages.
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 90%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El huracán dejó una devastación total en la costa.
The hurricane left total devastation along the coast.
La devastación causada por la guerra civil duró décadas.
The devastation caused by the civil war lasted for decades.
Contemplaron con horror la devastación del bosque tras el incendio.
They contemplated with horror the devastation of the forest after the fire.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'devastation' in English - the words are nearly identical.
- Break it down: 'de-vast-ación' - something that makes an area 'vast' and empty.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
Often used in news reports about natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods, which are significant concerns in many Spanish-speaking countries. Also commonly used when discussing war zones or environmental destruction.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'devastación' refers to physical destruction or ruin, 'desolación' often emphasizes the emotional state of emptiness, loneliness, or abandonment that might result from devastation.
Confused word:
Sintió una profunda desolación al ver su ciudad en ruinas.
He felt deep desolation seeing his city in ruins.
Notes: Both words can sometimes be used interchangeably in contexts of disaster, but 'desolación' carries a stronger emotional connotation.
Mnemonic: 'Devastación' deals with destruction (DEVASTation), while 'desolación' deals more with feelings of isolation (DESOLation).
Explanation: 'Devastación' refers to physical destruction, while 'desvalorización' means 'devaluation' or 'depreciation', usually in economic contexts.
This word:
La devastación tras el tsunami fue completa.
The devastation after the tsunami was complete.
Confused word:
La desvalorización de la moneda afectó la economía.
The devaluation of the currency affected the economy.
Notes: These words have very different meanings despite some similarity in spelling.
Mnemonic: 'Devastación' contains 'vast' (suggesting widespread destruction), while 'desvalorización' contains 'valor' (value).