múltiple
Lemma Details
Translation: multiple; manifold; numerous; various
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: Derived from Latin 'multiplex' (having many folds or parts), from 'multus' (many) and 'plicare' (to fold). The English cognate 'multiple' shares the same Latin root. The concept of folding or weaving many parts together creates a vivid image of how multiple elements combine into a complex whole.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 90%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El proyecto tiene múltiples beneficios para la comunidad.
The project has multiple benefits for the community.
Hay múltiples formas de resolver este problema.
There are multiple ways to solve this problem.
La película aborda temas de múltiple interpretación.
The movie addresses themes with multiple interpretations.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'multi-pleat' - like fabric with many folds or layers.
- The accent mark (tilde) over the 'u' makes the word stand out in multiple ways.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
Widely used in both everyday and academic contexts. In Spanish education and scientific fields, it's commonly used to describe complex systems or phenomena with many components.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'múltiple' is an adjective meaning 'multiple' or 'numerous', 'multitud' is a noun meaning 'crowd' or 'multitude'.
Confused word:
Una multitud de personas asistió al concierto.
A crowd of people attended the concert.
Notes: Both words share the same Latin root 'multus' (many), but they function differently in sentences.
Mnemonic: 'Múltiple' ends with an 'e' like 'multiple' in English, while 'multitud' ends with a 'd' like 'multitude'.
Explanation: 'Múltiple' is an adjective describing many instances, while 'multiplicar' is a verb meaning 'to multiply'.
Notes: The verb 'multiplicar' is the action that creates 'múltiple' instances of something.
Mnemonic: Think of the 'ar' ending in 'multiplicar' as an action (verb) ending, while 'múltiple' describes something.