plantación
Lemma Details
Translation: plantation; planting; crop
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: Derived from Latin 'plantatio' (a planting), from the verb 'plantare' (to plant). The English cognate 'plantation' shares the same Latin root. The suffix '-ción' in Spanish indicates an action or its result, similar to English '-tion'. This word emerged in agricultural contexts to describe large estates dedicated to growing specific crops, especially in colonial contexts.
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 90%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Visitamos una plantación de café en Colombia.
We visited a coffee plantation in Colombia.
La plantación de árboles es esencial para combatir el cambio climático.
Tree planting is essential to combat climate change.
Trabaja en una plantación de banano en Costa Rica.
He works on a banana plantation in Costa Rica.
Mnemonics
- Think 'plant-action' to remember plantación refers to the action of planting or the place where plants are grown commercially.
- The English 'plantation' is almost identical, making it easy to remember.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Latin American history, plantaciones were central to colonial economies, particularly for crops like sugar, coffee, tobacco, and cotton. The term carries historical connotations related to colonialism and sometimes to forced labor systems. In modern contexts, it's used more neutrally to refer to large agricultural operations.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'plantación' refers to a large area where crops are grown commercially, 'planta' simply means 'plant' (the organism) or can refer to a floor/level of a building.
Confused word:
Esta planta necesita mucha luz solar para crecer.
This plant needs a lot of sunlight to grow.
Notes: Plantación has more economic and historical connotations than the basic word planta.
Mnemonic: Plantación ends with '-ción' (action/result) suggesting organized activity, while planta is the simple organism or object.
Explanation: Though they sound similar, 'plantación' refers to a plantation or planting, while 'planeación' means 'planning' or 'the act of planning'.
Confused word:
La planeación del proyecto tomará varios meses.
The planning of the project will take several months.
Notes: These words have different Latin roots despite their similar sound in Spanish.
Mnemonic: Plantación has 't' for 'trees and crops', while planeación has no 't' and relates to planning.