niebla
Lemma Details
Translation: fog; mist; haze
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: From Latin 'nebula' meaning 'mist, vapor, fog, smoke, exhalation'. This Latin term is related to the Greek 'nephele' (cloud) and shares the same Indo-European root as the English words 'nebula', 'nebulous', and even 'nimbus'. The Spanish 'niebla' and English 'nebula' are perfect cognates, showing how atmospheric phenomena were described similarly across ancient cultures.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 60%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
La niebla cubría toda la ciudad.
The fog covered the entire city.
No podemos conducir con esta niebla tan densa.
We can't drive with this dense fog.
La niebla se disipó al mediodía.
The fog dissipated at noon.
Hay una niebla de confusión en torno a este asunto.
There's a fog of confusion surrounding this matter.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'nebula' in space - a cloudy formation similar to fog on Earth.
- Remember 'niebla' sounds like 'nebulous' which means unclear or vague, just like visibility in fog.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In northern Spain, particularly in Galicia and Asturias, fog is a common meteorological phenomenon that has influenced local culture and literature. The novel 'Niebla' by Miguel de Unamuno is a significant work in Spanish literature that uses fog as a metaphor for existential uncertainty.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'niebla' refers to fog in general, 'neblina' specifically refers to a light fog or mist. 'Niebla' is typically denser and reduces visibility more significantly than 'neblina'.
Confused word:
Una ligera neblina cubría los campos por la mañana.
A light mist covered the fields in the morning.
Notes: In some regions, these terms might be used interchangeably, but generally 'niebla' implies reduced visibility while 'neblina' is more aesthetic and less obstructive.
Mnemonic: 'Niebla' sounds stronger and fuller than the diminutive-sounding 'neblina', just as fog is denser than mist.
Explanation: 'Niebla' is fog that forms at or near ground level, while 'nube' means 'cloud' and typically refers to visible masses of water droplets in the sky.
Notes: Both phenomena involve water droplets suspended in air, but their location and formation differ.
Mnemonic: 'Niebla' is on the ground level where we walk, while 'nube' is up in the sky where birds fly.