llorón
Lemma Details
Translation: crybaby; weepy; tearful; whiny; sniveling
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: Derived from the Spanish verb 'llorar' (to cry, to weep) with the augmentative suffix '-ón', which intensifies the meaning and indicates a habitual action or characteristic. The verb 'llorar' comes from Latin 'plorare' (to weep, to wail). The English word 'deplore' shares this Latin root, though with a different semantic evolution focusing on expressing strong disapproval rather than physical crying.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 30%
Register: informal
Example Usage
No seas llorón, solo es un rasguño.
Don't be a crybaby, it's just a scratch.
La película era tan triste que hasta los menos llorones derramaron lágrimas.
The movie was so sad that even the least tearful people shed tears.
Tiene un hijo muy llorón que siempre está quejándose.
He has a very whiny son who is always complaining.
Mnemonics
- Think of the sound of crying ('llor-') with the intensifying suffix '-ón' to remember someone who cries a lot.
- Connect it to the English word 'deplore' (from the same Latin root) and imagine someone deploring something so much they're crying about it.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
In Hispanic cultures, 'llorón' is often used to tease or criticize someone (especially children) who cries easily or complains excessively. It's also connected to the folklore figure 'La Llorona' (The Weeping Woman), a ghost who cries for her dead children in various Latin American legends.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Llorón' is an adjective describing someone who cries a lot, while 'llorar' is the verb 'to cry'.
Notes: Both words share the same root related to crying, but serve different grammatical functions.
Mnemonic: 'Llorón' ends with '-ón' which makes it a noun/adjective describing a person, while 'llorar' ends with '-ar' marking it as a verb.
Explanation: 'Llorón' is a general term for a crybaby, while 'La Llorona' refers specifically to the legendary ghost figure in Latin American folklore.
This word:
No quiero salir con él porque es un llorón.
I don't want to go out with him because he's a crybaby.
Confused word:
Los niños tienen miedo de La Llorona.
The children are afraid of La Llorona (The Weeping Woman).
Notes: 'Llorona' is the feminine form of 'llorón' but has taken on this specific cultural meaning in folklore.
Mnemonic: 'La Llorona' is capitalized as a proper name and usually preceded by 'La' (the), while 'llorón' is a common adjective.