esfuerzo titánico
Lemma Details
Translation: titanic effort; herculean effort; monumental effort; superhuman effort
Part of Speech: noun phrase
Etymology: This phrase combines 'esfuerzo' (effort) from Latin 'exfortium' meaning 'force, strength' with 'titánico' (titanic), which derives from the Titans of Greek mythology, enormous deities who preceded the Olympian gods. The adjective 'titánico' evokes something of immense size, strength, or difficulty, similar to the English cognate 'titanic' (as in the ill-fated ship RMS Titanic, named for its enormous size).
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 80%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
La reconstrucción de la ciudad después del terremoto requirió un esfuerzo titánico.
The reconstruction of the city after the earthquake required a titanic effort.
Completar el proyecto en tan poco tiempo fue un esfuerzo titánico por parte de todo el equipo.
Completing the project in such a short time was a titanic effort by the entire team.
Los científicos están haciendo un esfuerzo titánico para encontrar una cura.
Scientists are making a titanic effort to find a cure.
Mnemonics
- Think of the Titanic ship - something enormous that requires tremendous effort to move or manage.
- Visualize Atlas (a Titan) holding up the world - a perfect image of a titanic effort.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This phrase is commonly used in Spanish to describe tasks requiring extraordinary effort or determination. It appears frequently in news, literature, and everyday speech when referring to major undertakings, challenges, or achievements that require exceptional exertion.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'esfuerzo titánico' focuses on the exertion or strain involved, 'trabajo titánico' emphasizes the work or labor itself that is enormous in scale.
Confused word:
La construcción del puente fue un trabajo titánico que duró años.
The construction of the bridge was a titanic work that lasted years.
Notes: Both phrases are often interchangeable in many contexts, but 'esfuerzo' emphasizes the difficulty and exertion while 'trabajo' emphasizes the labor and task.
Mnemonic: 'Esfuerzo' focuses on the strain and energy expended; 'trabajo' on the task itself.