entre la niebla
Lemma Details
Translation: in the fog; through the fog; amid the mist
Part of Speech: phrase
Etymology: This phrase combines 'entre' (from Latin 'inter' meaning 'between' or 'among') and 'la niebla' (from Latin 'nebula' meaning 'mist' or 'cloud'). The English word 'nebula' shares the same Latin root as 'niebla', both referring to a cloud-like formation. The connection between Spanish 'niebla' and English 'nebula' highlights how both languages preserved the concept of haziness or cloudiness from their Latin origins.
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 50%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Mnemonics
- Think of 'niebla' as related to 'nebula' (a cloud in space) to remember it means 'fog'
- Imagine being 'entre' (between) clouds of fog, neither here nor there
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This phrase is commonly used in Spanish literature and poetry to create atmospheric settings or to metaphorically describe confusion or uncertainty. It appears frequently in descriptions of landscapes, particularly in northern Spain where fog is common in regions like Galicia and Asturias.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Entre la niebla' implies being surrounded by or moving through fog, while 'en la niebla' simply indicates being in fog without the sense of movement or immersion.
This word:
Caminaba entre la niebla buscando el camino.
He was walking through the fog looking for the path.
Notes: The distinction is subtle but important for conveying the correct relationship to the fog.
Mnemonic: 'Entre' suggests movement through something, while 'en' suggests static position.