feria
Lemma Details
Translation: fair; festival; market; weekday; holiday
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: From Latin 'feria' meaning 'holiday' or 'free day'. In ancient Rome, 'feriae' were days when free citizens were not obliged to work and could participate in religious festivals. The English word 'fair' (as in a market or exhibition) shares this Latin root, though the meaning evolved differently in each language. In Spanish, 'feria' retained both the sense of a festive market and, in ecclesiastical contexts, the concept of weekdays.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 60%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Vamos a la feria este fin de semana.
Let's go to the fair this weekend.
Compro frutas y verduras en la feria todos los martes.
I buy fruits and vegetables at the market every Tuesday.
La feria de abril es muy famosa en Sevilla.
The April Fair is very famous in Seville.
Hoy es feria, no hay misa de santo.
Today is a weekday (in liturgical calendar), there is no saint's mass.
Mnemonics
- Think of a 'fair' in English - both words share the same Latin root and similar meaning.
- Associate 'feria' with 'fiesta' (party) and 'fair' to remember its festive market meaning.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spain and Latin America, 'ferias' are important cultural events that often celebrate local traditions, saints, or harvests. The Feria de Abril in Seville is one of the most famous. In Catholic liturgical context, 'feria' refers to days of the week when no saint's feast is celebrated. In many Latin American countries, local markets are called 'ferias', where people buy fresh produce and other goods.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: The word 'feria' has multiple meanings in Spanish that can be confusing: it can mean a fair/festival, a market, or a weekday in ecclesiastical context.
Confused word:
Hoy es feria en el calendario litúrgico.
Today is a weekday in the liturgical calendar.
Notes: The meaning often depends on context and region. In many Latin American countries, 'feria' primarily refers to a market, while in Spain it often refers to a festival.
Mnemonic: For the 'fair' meaning, think of colorful stalls and rides; for the 'weekday' meaning, think of a regular day with no special saint.
Explanation: The Spanish 'feria' (fair/festival) should not be confused with the English 'ferry' (boat), despite sounding similar.
Notes: The Spanish word for 'ferry' is actually 'transbordador' or 'ferry' (as a loanword).
Mnemonic: Remember: 'feria' is for fun on land, 'ferry' is for crossing water.