grito
Lemma Details
Translation: shout; scream; cry; yell; shriek
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: Derived from the verb 'gritar' (to shout), which comes from Latin 'quiritare' meaning 'to cry out, scream'. This Latin term originally referred to citizens calling for help by invoking their rights as Roman citizens (Quirites). The evolution from 'qu' to 'g' is a common phonetic shift in Romance languages. The word evokes the visceral, primal nature of vocal expression.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 30%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Su grito de dolor se escuchó por toda la casa.
His cry of pain was heard throughout the house.
El público lanzó un grito de alegría cuando marcaron el gol.
The crowd let out a shout of joy when they scored the goal.
El grito de la mujer despertó a todos los vecinos.
The woman's scream woke up all the neighbors.
Cada año el presidente da el Grito de Independencia.
Every year the president gives the Cry of Independence.
Mnemonics
- Think of the English word 'greet' but with more intensity - a 'grito' is like greeting someone very loudly!
- Associate with 'gritted teeth' - when people scream or shout, they often have gritted teeth.
- Remember the sound itself - 'GREE-toh' sounds somewhat like a shout.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
In Mexican culture, 'El Grito' refers to the famous cry for independence given by Miguel Hidalgo in 1810, commemorated annually on September 15th. In Spanish-speaking horror films and literature, 'el grito' is often associated with terror and fear. In flamenco music, 'el grito' represents the passionate vocal expressions that punctuate performances.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Grito' means 'shout' or 'scream', while 'grato' means 'pleasant' or 'agreeable'. They look similar but have completely different meanings and pronunciations.
Confused word:
Fue un momento muy grato para toda la familia.
It was a very pleasant moment for the whole family.
Notes: The stress falls on the first syllable in both words, but the vowel sound changes the meaning entirely.
Mnemonic: 'Grito' has an 'i' like 'shriek', while 'grato' has an 'a' like in 'grateful'.
Explanation: 'Grito' is a 'shout' or 'scream', while 'grifo' means 'faucet' or 'tap'. They differ by just one letter but refer to completely unrelated concepts.
Notes: Both are common everyday words but in completely different contexts.
Mnemonic: 'Grito' ends with 'to' like 'shout-o', while 'grifo' ends with 'fo' like 'flow' (of water).