leche de vaca

Lemma Details

Translation: cow's milk; cow milk

Part of Speech: noun phrase

Etymology: From Spanish 'leche' (milk) + 'de' (of) + 'vaca' (cow). 'Leche' derives from Latin 'lac, lactis', which shares the same Indo-European root as English 'lactose' and 'lactation'. 'Vaca' comes from Latin 'vacca' (cow), which is related to Sanskrit 'vāśitā' (cow that lows).

Commonality: 80%

Guessability: 90%

Register: neutral

Mnemonics

  • Think of 'vaca' sounding like 'vacate' - cows vacate (empty) their udders to give milk.
  • Picture a cow (vaca) giving leche (milk) - the direct connection makes this phrase easy to remember.

Related Words, Phrases & Idioms

leche de cabra

Unknown

No translation

leche de oveja

Unknown

No translation

leche materna

Unknown

No translation

productos lácteos

Unknown

No translation

ordeñar

Unknown

No translation

Synonyms

leche bovina

Unknown

No translation

Cultural Context

Cow's milk is a staple in Spanish cuisine and is used in many traditional dishes and desserts. In rural areas of Spain and Latin America, fresh cow's milk is still commonly consumed, though pasteurized milk is standard in urban areas.

Easily Confused With

leche de soya

Unknown

No translation

Commonality: 0%

Explanation: While 'leche de vaca' refers to milk from cows, 'leche de soya' refers to soy milk, a plant-based alternative.

Notes: In Spanish-speaking countries, 'leche' by itself typically refers to cow's milk unless specified otherwise.

Mnemonic: 'Vaca' has a 'V' like 'Vertebrate' (animal), while 'soya' is a plant.