vendar
Lemma Details
Translation: to bandage; to blindfold; to wrap; to bind
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Vendar comes from the Latin 'vitta' meaning 'ribbon' or 'band', which evolved into the Spanish noun 'venda' (bandage) and then the verb 'vendar'. The English cognate 'band' shares the same Indo-European root. This connection helps understand how vendar relates to wrapping or binding something with a strip of material.
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 30%
Register: neutral
Mnemonics
- Think of 'venda' (bandage) + -ar (verb ending) = vendar (to bandage)
- Visualize a 'vendor' at a pharmacy selling bandages to help remember 'vendar' means to bandage
- The 'ven' in vendar sounds like 'band' backwards, helping recall its meaning of bandaging
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
Commonly used in medical contexts, first aid instructions, and in games involving blindfolding like 'la gallina ciega' (blind man's buff).
Easily Confused With
Explanation: Vendar (to bandage) is often confused with vender (to sell) because they look and sound similar, differing only by one letter.
This word:
El enfermero vendó mi brazo después de la inyección.
The nurse bandaged my arm after the injection.
Confused word:
Quiero vender mi coche usado.
I want to sell my used car.
Notes: The past participle forms are also similar: 'vendado' (bandaged) vs. 'vendido' (sold).
Mnemonic: Vendar has an 'a' like 'bandage', while vender has an 'e' like 'sell'.
Explanation: Vendar (to bandage) might be confused with ventar (to blow, to ventilate), especially in conjugated forms.
Notes: Ventar is less common in everyday Spanish than vendar.
Mnemonic: Ventar relates to 'viento' (wind), while vendar relates to 'venda' (bandage).