ordeñar la vaca

Lemma Details

Translation: to milk the cow

Part of Speech: phrase

Etymology: This phrase combines 'ordeñar' (to milk) from Latin 'ordināre' meaning 'to put in order, arrange' which evolved to refer to the methodical extraction of milk, with 'vaca' (cow) from Latin 'vacca'. The verb 'ordeñar' specifically refers to the action of extracting milk from mammals by hand or machine.

Commonality: 60%

Guessability: 30%

Register: neutral

Mnemonics

  • Think of 'order' in 'ordeñar' as putting milk in order by extracting it from the cow
  • Visualize the rhythmic, orderly motion of milking a cow to remember 'ordeñar'

Related Words, Phrases & Idioms

ordeñar

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No translation

ordeño

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No translation

ordeñadora

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No translation

vaca lechera

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No translation

ordeñar la cabra

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No translation

ordeñar dinero

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No translation

Synonyms

extraer leche de la vaca

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No translation

sacar leche de la vaca

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No translation

Cultural Context

This phrase is common in rural and agricultural contexts in Spanish-speaking countries. In many Latin American countries, small-scale dairy farming remains an important part of rural life, and the act of milking cows is a daily routine for many families.

Easily Confused With

ordenar la casa

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No translation

Commonality: 0%

Explanation: 'Ordeñar' (to milk) sounds similar to 'ordenar' (to order/tidy), but they have completely different meanings. 'Ordeñar' specifically refers to extracting milk, while 'ordenar' means to put things in order or to command.

Notes: The confusion often happens because both words share the same Latin root 'ordināre', but evolved to have different meanings in modern Spanish.

Mnemonic: Remember: ordeñar has the 'ñ' which you can think of as the 'milk letter' since it looks like milk dripping down.