nuboso
Lemma Details
Translation: cloudy; overcast; clouded
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: Derived from the Spanish noun 'nube' (cloud), which comes from Latin 'nubes' (cloud). The suffix '-oso' indicates 'full of' or 'characterized by', so 'nuboso' literally means 'full of clouds'. The English cognate 'nebulous' shares the same Latin root, though it has taken on more figurative meanings of vagueness or indistinctness.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 50%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Hoy está nuboso, lleva un paraguas.
It's cloudy today, take an umbrella.
El pronóstico dice que mañana estará nuboso con posibilidad de lluvia.
The forecast says it will be cloudy tomorrow with a chance of rain.
El cielo nuboso no nos permitió ver las estrellas.
The cloudy sky didn't allow us to see the stars.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'nube' (cloud) + '-oso' (full of) = 'full of clouds'
- Sounds a bit like 'numerous' - imagine numerous clouds in the sky
- Connect it to the English word 'nebulous' which shares the same Latin root
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
Commonly used in weather forecasts and daily conversation about the weather. In Spanish-speaking countries with varied climates, weather terminology is an important part of daily conversation.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'nuboso' specifically refers to cloudy weather, 'nebuloso' can be used both literally (cloudy) and figuratively (vague, unclear, nebulous).
Confused word:
Su explicación fue nebulosa y no entendí nada.
His explanation was nebulous and I didn't understand anything.
Notes: Both words share the same Latin root 'nubes' (cloud), but 'nebuloso' has developed more figurative uses.
Mnemonic: 'Nuboso' is for clouds in the sky; 'nebuloso' can be for clouds in the sky or clouds in your thinking.
Explanation: 'Nuboso' refers to cloudiness in general, while 'brumoso' specifically refers to mistiness or haziness.
Confused word:
La mañana estaba brumosa y apenas se podía ver la carretera.
The morning was misty and you could barely see the road.
Notes: 'Brumoso' is more specific to low-lying fog or mist, while 'nuboso' refers to clouds in the sky.
Mnemonic: Think of 'bruma' (mist) for 'brumoso' and 'nube' (cloud) for 'nuboso'.