fresco
Lemma Details
Translation: fresh; cool; chilly; recent; new; impudent; cheeky
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: From Latin 'friscus' or 'frescus', meaning 'fresh' or 'new'. The word shares the same Latin root as the English word 'fresh', making them cognates. In art, 'fresco' refers to a technique of painting on freshly laid plaster before it dries, which is why the English language borrowed this term directly from Italian (which got it from the same Latin root).
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 80%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Me gusta comer pescado fresco.
I like to eat fresh fish.
Hace un día fresco hoy.
It's a cool day today.
Eres muy fresco para hablarle así a tu madre.
You're very cheeky to speak to your mother like that.
Prefiero cenar al fresco en verano.
I prefer to dine outdoors in summer.
Compré pan fresco esta mañana.
I bought fresh bread this morning.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'fresh' in English - they sound similar and have the same meaning.
- Remember 'fresco painting' - a technique using fresh plaster.
- For the 'cheeky' meaning, imagine someone being so 'fresh' (bold) that they're being impudent.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, 'fresco' has positive connotations when referring to temperature or food, but can be negative when describing a person's behavior (meaning 'cheeky' or 'impudent'). The phrase 'al fresco' is commonly used to describe outdoor dining or activities, especially in warm climates.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While both can refer to temperature, 'fresco' means 'cool' or 'chilly' (moderately cold and usually pleasant), whereas 'frío' means 'cold' (more intensely cold and potentially uncomfortable).
Notes: 'Fresco' often has positive connotations of pleasantness, while 'frío' can suggest discomfort.
Mnemonic: 'Fresco' is like a refreshing coolness, while 'frío' makes you shiver.
Explanation: As a noun, 'fresco' refers to a painting technique or the artwork created with that technique, while as an adjective it means 'fresh' or 'cool'.
Confused word:
El museo tiene un fresco del siglo XVI.
The museum has a fresco from the 16th century.
Notes: The noun meaning is actually the same in English and Spanish, both referring to the painting technique.
Mnemonic: For the noun, think of Renaissance paintings; for the adjective, think of a cool breeze.