lácteo
Lemma: lácteo
Translation: dairy; milk; milky; lacteal; lactic (adjective)
Etymology: From Latin 'lacteus' meaning 'of milk, milky', derived from 'lac, lactis' (milk). The English cognates include 'lactose', 'lactation', and 'lactic acid'. The Latin root 'lact-' appears in many scientific and medical terms related to milk across Romance languages and English.
Example Usage
Los productos lácteos son ricos en calcio.
Dairy products are rich in calcium.
Ella tiene una dieta libre de lácteos debido a su intolerancia.
She has a dairy-free diet due to her intolerance.
El queso es un derivado lácteo.
Cheese is a dairy derivative.
La vía láctea es nuestra galaxia.
The Milky Way is our galaxy.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'lactation' in English to remember 'lácteo' relates to milk.
- The 'lact' in 'lácteo' sounds like 'lacked', so imagine someone saying 'I lacked milk' to remember it's related to dairy.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, dairy products (productos lácteos) are important components of the diet. The term appears frequently in nutritional contexts, food labeling, and dietary discussions.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'lácteo' refers to milk or dairy in general, 'láctico' specifically refers to lactic acid or the process of lactic fermentation.
Confused word:
El ácido láctico se acumula en los músculos durante el ejercicio intenso.
Lactic acid builds up in muscles during intense exercise.
Notes: Both terms share the same Latin root 'lact-' for milk, but have different specific applications.
Mnemonic: 'Lácteo' ends with 'o' like 'yogurto' (though it's actually 'yogur' in Spanish), a dairy product, while 'láctico' ends with 'ico' like 'acidic'.
Explanation: 'Lácteo' refers to dairy or milk-related things, while 'lactante' refers to a nursing infant or the act of breastfeeding.
Confused word:
El bebé lactante necesita alimentarse cada tres horas.
The nursing baby needs to be fed every three hours.
Notes: Both words relate to milk, but 'lactante' specifically relates to breastfeeding.
Mnemonic: 'Lactante' contains 'ante' which can remind you of 'infant' - a nursing baby.