techo máximo
Lemma Details
Translation: ceiling; maximum limit; cap; upper limit
Part of Speech: noun phrase
Etymology: Combines 'techo' (ceiling, roof) from Latin 'tectum' (roof, covering) and 'máximo' from Latin 'maximus' (greatest, largest). The English cognate 'maximum' shares the same Latin root. The metaphorical extension of 'techo' (a physical ceiling) to represent an upper limit mirrors the same semantic development in English.
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El gobierno estableció un techo máximo para los precios de los alquileres.
The government established a ceiling for rental prices.
La nueva ley impone un techo máximo a las tasas de interés bancarias.
The new law imposes a cap on bank interest rates.
Los inversores están preocupados por el techo máximo de la deuda nacional.
Investors are concerned about the national debt ceiling.
Mnemonics
- Think of a 'tech-o' (techo) as the highest 'tech' point in a room - the ceiling.
- Maximum + techo = the highest possible ceiling or limit.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
Frequently used in economic, financial, and regulatory contexts in Spanish-speaking countries to refer to maximum allowable limits on prices, salaries, interest rates, etc.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'techo máximo' refers to an upper limit or ceiling, 'techo mínimo' would refer to a minimum ceiling height or minimum upper limit.
Confused word:
El techo mínimo para esta habitación debe ser de 2,5 metros.
The minimum ceiling height for this room must be 2.5 meters.
Notes: In practice, 'techo mínimo' is less common than 'piso mínimo' (minimum floor) when discussing lower limits.
Mnemonic: Máximo points up (↑) to the highest point, while mínimo points down (↓) to the lowest acceptable level.