devastador
Lemma Details
Translation: devastating; destructive; ravaging; ruinous
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: Derived from the verb 'devastar' (to devastate), which comes from Latin 'devastare' (to lay waste), a combination of 'de-' (completely) and 'vastare' (to make empty or waste). It shares the same Latin root as the English word 'devastate', making it a cognate. The '-ador' suffix indicates an agent or something that performs the action.
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 80%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Mnemonics
- Think of 'devastador' as 'the vast destroyer' - something that creates vast destruction.
- Remember the English cognate 'devastate' and add '-or' (which indicates the agent in Spanish).
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
Often used in news reports about natural disasters, wars, or economic crises. In Spanish-speaking countries, the term may be frequently heard in discussions about environmental issues, particularly deforestation in the Amazon or the effects of hurricanes in the Caribbean.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'devastador' refers to something that causes physical destruction or ruin, 'desolador' (desolating) refers more to emotional or psychological emptiness and sadness.
Confused word:
El paisaje desolador reflejaba la tristeza del momento.
The desolate landscape reflected the sadness of the moment.
Notes: Both words can sometimes be used in similar contexts, especially when describing the aftermath of disasters, but 'devastador' emphasizes physical destruction while 'desolador' emphasizes emotional impact.
Mnemonic: 'Devastador' deals with destruction (DEVASTation), while 'desolador' deals with emptiness and sadness (DESOLation).
Explanation: 'Devastador' refers to widespread destruction or ruin, while 'desgarrador' (heart-rending, heartrending) refers specifically to emotional pain or suffering that tears at one's heart.
This word:
La guerra tuvo efectos devastadores en la economía.
The war had devastating effects on the economy.
Confused word:
Escuchamos un grito desgarrador en la noche.
We heard a heartrending scream in the night.
Notes: Both adjectives can describe intense negative impacts, but in different domains.
Mnemonic: Think of 'desgarrador' as something that 'tears' (desgarrar = to tear) at your emotions, while 'devastador' 'devastates' physical things.