sombrío
Lemma Details
Translation: gloomy; somber; dark; shadowy; dismal; dreary; bleak; melancholy
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: Derived from 'sombra' (shadow) with the suffix '-ío' indicating quality or state. The Latin root 'umbra' (shadow) is also the source of English words like 'somber', 'umbra', and 'penumbra'. The connection between darkness and melancholy is preserved in both languages, making this a cognate that connects physical darkness with emotional gloom.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 60%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El cielo sombrío anunciaba una tormenta.
The gloomy sky announced a storm.
Tiene un carácter sombrío desde que perdió su trabajo.
He has had a somber character since he lost his job.
La película presenta un futuro sombrío para la humanidad.
The movie presents a bleak future for humanity.
El bosque sombrío daba miedo a los niños.
The dark forest frightened the children.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'sombrío' as related to 'somber' in English - both refer to darkness and gloominess.
- Remember 'sombra' (shadow) + '-ío' = 'sombrío' (full of shadow/darkness).
- Picture someone standing under the shadow (sombra) of a large tree, looking somber and gloomy (sombrío).
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish literature and art, 'sombrío' often appears in descriptions of Gothic or Romantic settings. It's commonly used in weather descriptions, emotional states, and artistic atmospheres. The concept is important in Spanish cultural expressions about melancholy and introspection.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Sombrío' is an adjective meaning 'gloomy' or 'dark', while 'sombra' is a noun meaning 'shadow'.
Confused word:
Me senté a la sombra del árbol para descansar.
I sat in the shadow of the tree to rest.
Notes: While related, 'sombrío' describes the quality of being dark or gloomy, whereas 'sombra' is the actual shadow or shade.
Mnemonic: 'Sombrío' ends with '-ío' like many adjectives, while 'sombra' is the thing itself.
Explanation: 'Sombrío' means 'gloomy' or 'dark', while 'sombrilla' means 'parasol' or 'sun umbrella'.
This word:
El día sombrío no invitaba a salir de casa.
The gloomy day didn't invite one to leave home.
Confused word:
Llevó una sombrilla a la playa para protegerse del sol.
She took a parasol to the beach to protect herself from the sun.
Notes: Both words share the root 'sombra' (shadow), but have very different applications.
Mnemonic: 'Sombrilla' creates shade (protection from brightness), while 'sombrío' describes something already dark or gloomy.