montañoso
Lemma Details
Translation: mountainous; hilly; craggy; alpine
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: Derived from 'montaña' (mountain) + the adjectival suffix '-oso' (full of, characterized by). 'Montaña' comes from Latin 'montanea', from 'mons, montis' (mountain). The English cognate 'mountain' shares the same Latin root, while the '-ous' suffix in 'mountainous' serves the same function as Spanish '-oso', both indicating abundance or possession of a quality.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 80%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Colombia es un país montañoso con diversas cadenas montañosas.
Colombia is a mountainous country with various mountain ranges.
El terreno montañoso dificultó la construcción de la carretera.
The mountainous terrain made road construction difficult.
Prefiero vivir en regiones montañosas por el aire fresco y las vistas.
I prefer to live in mountainous regions for the fresh air and views.
La zona montañosa del norte es perfecta para el senderismo.
The mountainous area in the north is perfect for hiking.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'montaña' (mountain) + '-oso' (full of) = 'full of mountains'
- Visualize a landscape with many mountains when you hear 'montañoso'
- Similar to English 'mountainous' - both describe terrain with many mountains
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
Spain and many Latin American countries have significant mountainous regions that play important roles in their geography, culture, and history. The Andes in South America, the Sierra Madre in Mexico, and the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada in Spain are examples of mountain ranges that have shaped local cultures and economies.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'montañoso' refers specifically to mountainous terrain, 'montuoso' refers to land covered with woods or forest, especially on hills or mountains.
Confused word:
El paisaje montuoso estaba lleno de árboles y vegetación.
The wooded landscape was full of trees and vegetation.
Notes: Both words describe terrain features but focus on different aspects: 'montañoso' emphasizes elevation and mountains, while 'montuoso' emphasizes forest cover.
Mnemonic: 'Montañoso' has 'montaña' (mountain) in it, while 'montuoso' relates to 'monte' (which can mean hill or woodland).
Explanation: An uncommon variant that can sometimes be used similarly to 'montañoso' but is much less frequent in modern Spanish.
This word:
El paisaje montañoso domina toda la región.
The mountainous landscape dominates the entire region.
Confused word:
El terreno montoso dificulta el cultivo.
The hilly terrain makes cultivation difficult.
Notes: 'Montañoso' is the standard and widely recognized term for describing mountainous landscapes.
Mnemonic: 'Montañoso' contains the full word 'montaña' (mountain), making it more specific and common.