grano
Lemma Details
Translation: grain; seed; pimple; acne; kernel; bead; granule
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: From Latin 'granum' meaning 'grain, seed, small kernel'. This Latin root also gave English words like 'grain', 'granule', 'granary', and 'granola'. The connection between the meanings of 'seed' and 'pimple' comes from the visual similarity of small bumps or protrusions.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El arroz es un tipo de grano.
Rice is a type of grain.
Tiene granos en la cara debido al estrés.
He has pimples on his face due to stress.
Por favor, ve al grano y dime qué pasó.
Please, get to the point and tell me what happened.
Necesitamos almacenar estos granos antes de que llueva.
We need to store these grains before it rains.
Un grano de arena puede dañar una máquina.
A grain of sand can damage a machine.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'granola' which contains grains to remember the meaning 'grain'.
- Picture a grain of rice that looks like a small pimple on skin to connect the two main meanings.
- The phrase 'ir al grano' (get to the point) can be remembered by imagining going straight to the center (grain) of an issue.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, 'grano' is commonly used in agricultural contexts but also frequently in everyday language when referring to skin conditions. The phrase 'ir al grano' (to get to the point) is a very common idiom in business and casual conversation.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Grano' means 'grain' or 'pimple', while 'grana' refers to 'cochineal' (a red dye) or can mean 'money' in slang.
Notes: The slang meaning of 'grana' for money is common in some Latin American countries, particularly Mexico.
Mnemonic: 'Grano' ends with 'o' like 'orzo' (a grain-shaped pasta), while 'grana' ends with 'a' like 'plata' (silver/money).
Explanation: 'Grano' is a noun meaning 'grain' or 'pimple', while 'grande' is an adjective meaning 'big' or 'large'.
Confused word:
Vivo en una casa grande.
I live in a big house.
Notes: These words look similar but have completely different meanings and uses.
Mnemonic: 'Grande' has a 'd' in it like 'dimension' - something that can be big.