divisa
Lemma Details
Translation: currency; foreign exchange; badge; emblem; motto; device
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: Derived from Latin 'divisus', past participle of 'dividere' meaning 'to divide, separate'. The term evolved to refer to distinguishing marks or symbols that separate or identify groups, and later to foreign currency that divides economic systems. Related to English words like 'divide', 'division', and 'device'.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 50%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El banco central compró divisas para estabilizar el mercado.
The central bank bought foreign currencies to stabilize the market.
La divisa de la familia es 'Honor y lealtad'.
The family motto is 'Honor and loyalty'.
Los soldados llevaban la divisa del regimiento en sus uniformes.
The soldiers wore the regiment's badge on their uniforms.
España necesita divisas para importar petróleo.
Spain needs foreign currency to import oil.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'divisa' as something that 'divides' countries economically (foreign currency).
- Connect it to 'devise' in English, which can mean to plan or invent, similar to how emblems and mottos are devised.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, 'divisa' is commonly used in economic and financial contexts to refer to foreign currencies. In historical or heraldic contexts, it refers to emblems or mottos used by families or organizations.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Divisa' refers to currency or emblems, while 'divina' means 'divine' or 'heavenly'.
This word:
Necesitamos más divisas para importar productos.
We need more foreign currency to import products.
Confused word:
La música era divina.
The music was divine.
Notes: The pronunciation is similar but the meanings are completely unrelated.
Mnemonic: 'Divisa' has an 's' for 'spending money'; 'divina' has an 'n' for 'heavenly'.
Explanation: While both share the same Latin root, 'divisa' refers to currency or emblems, while 'división' means 'division' or 'split'.
Confused word:
Hay una división clara entre los dos grupos.
There is a clear division between the two groups.
Notes: Both words come from the Latin 'dividere', but have evolved to have distinct meanings.
Mnemonic: Think of 'división' as the act of dividing, while 'divisa' is the result or symbol that distinguishes.