pasta

Lemma Details

Translation: pasta; dough; paste; money; cash

Part of Speech: noun

Etymology: From Latin 'pasta' meaning 'dough, paste', which came from Greek 'pastē' (πάστη) meaning 'barley porridge'. The English word 'paste' shares this same origin. In Spanish, 'pasta' evolved to also mean 'money' or 'cash' in colloquial usage, likely because paper money was seen as similar to paste or pulp in its manufacturing process.

Commonality: 90%

Guessability: 80%

Register: neutral (for food); informal (for money)

Mnemonics

  • For the food meaning, think of Italian pasta dishes which are made from dough.
  • For the money meaning, imagine cash being made from the same pulp as paste.

Related Words, Phrases & Idioms

pasta italiana

Unknown

No translation

pasta dental

Unknown

No translation

sin pasta

Unknown

No translation

ganar pasta

Unknown

No translation

Synonyms

dinero

Unknown

No translation

efectivo

Unknown

No translation

masa

Unknown

No translation

Antonyms

pobreza

Unknown

No translation

Cultural Context

In Spain and many Latin American countries, 'pasta' is commonly used colloquially to refer to money, while it also retains its meaning as the food. The money meaning is particularly common in informal speech in Spain.

Easily Confused With

pasto

Unknown

No translation

Commonality: 0%

Explanation: 'Pasta' means pasta, dough, or money, while 'pasto' means pasture or grass for grazing.

Notes: These words sound similar but have completely different meanings and contexts.

Mnemonic: 'Pasta' ends with 'a' like 'pasta' in English; 'pasto' ends with 'o' like 'meadow'.

pastel

Unknown

No translation

Commonality: 0%

Explanation: 'Pasta' refers to pasta or money, while 'pastel' means cake or pastry.

Notes: Both words relate to food but refer to completely different types of food items.

Mnemonic: Think of 'pastel' as having the extra 'el' at the end, making it something extra sweet like a cake.