hogar
Lemma Details
Translation: home; household; hearth; fireplace
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: From Latin 'focāris' (of the hearth), derived from 'focus' (hearth, fireplace). The evolution from 'f' to 'h' is a common phonetic change in Spanish (compare Latin 'facere' to Spanish 'hacer'). The connection to 'hearth' reflects how the fireplace was traditionally the center of family life, eventually extending to mean the entire home or household. English 'focus' shares the same Latin root, though its meaning evolved differently.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 30%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Mi hogar está en Madrid.
My home is in Madrid.
Después de un largo viaje, no hay nada como volver al hogar.
After a long trip, there's nothing like returning home.
Un hogar no es solo una casa, es donde está tu familia.
A home is not just a house, it's where your family is.
Tenemos que comprar muebles nuevos para nuestro hogar.
We need to buy new furniture for our home.
Mnemonics
- Think of a 'home garden' (sounds like 'hogar') where your family gathers.
- Associate with 'hearth' - both start with 'h' and refer to the warm center of a home.
- Remember 'hogar' has the word 'gar' which sounds like 'gather' - homes are where people gather.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking cultures, 'hogar' carries strong emotional connotations beyond just a physical dwelling. It represents family unity, warmth, and belonging. The concept of 'hogar' is central to Hispanic family values, where multiple generations often live together or maintain close ties.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Hogar' means 'home' or 'household', while 'lugar' means 'place' or 'location'. They look and sound somewhat similar but have different meanings.
Notes: While both can refer to physical spaces, 'hogar' carries emotional connotations of family and belonging that 'lugar' does not.
Mnemonic: 'Hogar' has an 'h' like 'home', while 'lugar' has an 'l' like 'location'.
Explanation: While both refer to where people live, 'casa' specifically means the physical structure (house), whereas 'hogar' emphasizes the emotional concept of home and family.
Notes: You can have a 'casa' without it being a 'hogar' - for example, a house that nobody lives in yet.
Mnemonic: Think: 'casa' is the 'case' (structure) while 'hogar' is the 'heart' of where you live.