mercancía
Lemma Details
Translation: merchandise; goods; commodity; wares; cargo
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: From Old Spanish 'mercadantía', derived from 'mercadante' (merchant), which comes from Latin 'mercātāns' (trading). The word shares roots with English 'merchant' and 'mercantile', all stemming from Latin 'mercārī' (to trade). The evolution shows how commerce terminology spread throughout Romance languages, with the Spanish form emphasizing the goods themselves rather than the trader.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
La tienda recibió nueva mercancía esta mañana.
The store received new merchandise this morning.
El barco transporta mercancías entre países.
The ship transports goods between countries.
Hay que revisar toda la mercancía antes de aceptarla.
All the goods must be checked before accepting them.
Esta mercancía es de alta calidad.
This merchandise is of high quality.
Mnemonics
- Think 'merchant + sea' - merchants transport their 'mercancía' across the sea.
- Sounds like 'merchandise' with a Spanish accent.
- Remember the connection to 'mercado' (market) - mercancía is what you find at the market.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, 'mercancía' is a fundamental term in commerce and trade. It appears frequently in business contexts, customs declarations, and shipping documents. The concept is central to Latin American economies where import-export businesses play significant roles.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Mercancía' refers to the goods themselves, while 'mercado' refers to the market or place where goods are bought and sold.
Notes: Both words share the same Latin root related to commerce and trade.
Mnemonic: 'Mercancía' ends with '-ía' like many Spanish nouns for items or collections (librería, joyería), while 'mercado' ends with '-ado' like many places or locations.
Explanation: 'Mercancía' refers specifically to goods or products, while 'comercio' refers to the activity of trading or commerce itself.
Confused word:
El comercio entre estos países ha aumentado.
Trade between these countries has increased.
Notes: Both terms are essential in business vocabulary but refer to different aspects of trade.
Mnemonic: Think of 'mercancía' as the physical items and 'comercio' as the action or process of buying and selling.