pizca
Lemma Details
Translation: pinch; bit; smidgen; dash; trace; speck
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: Pizca comes from the verb 'pizcar' (to pinch), which derives from the Latin 'pīnsāre' meaning 'to pound' or 'to crush'. The word evolved to describe the small amount that can be held between finger and thumb. It shares conceptual similarity with English 'pinch' though they're not direct cognates. The physical gesture of pinching something small between fingers is visually represented in both languages.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 30%
Register: neutral
Mnemonics
- Think of 'pinch' and 'pizca' - both start with 'p' and refer to small amounts.
- Imagine pinching a small amount of salt between your fingers - that's a 'pizca'.
- The 'z' in pizca can remind you of the zigzag motion your fingers make when pinching something.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
Very common in cooking contexts and in everyday speech to indicate small quantities. The expression 'ni pizca de' (not a bit of) is particularly common in Spanish to emphasize complete absence of something.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'pisca' is a regional variant or misspelling of 'pizca' in some areas, the standard spelling in Spanish is 'pizca' with a 'z'.
Notes: The correct spelling is with 'z', though you might see the variant with 's' in informal writing or regional usage.
Mnemonic: Remember the correct spelling has a 'z' like in 'pinch' (conceptually related).
Explanation: 'Pellizco' means the action of pinching someone's skin, while 'pizca' refers to a small amount of something.
Notes: Both relate to pinching but in different contexts - one is a physical action, the other is a measurement.
Mnemonic: 'Pellizco' has 'pell' like 'piel' (skin) - it's about pinching skin; 'pizca' is about amounts.