oro
Wordform Details
Translation: gold
Part of Speech: noun
Inflection Type:
masculinesingularIs Dictionary Form: Yes
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma Details
Translation: gold
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: From Latin 'aurum', which also gave us English words like 'aureate' (golden), 'auriferous' (containing gold), and the chemical symbol for gold, 'Au'. The Latin term is related to Proto-Indo-European *h₂é-h₂us-o- meaning 'glow, shine', reflecting gold's distinctive luster. The Spanish word underwent a simplification from 'aurum' to 'oro', dropping the middle syllable, a common phonological development in the evolution from Latin to Spanish.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 50%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El anillo está hecho de oro puro.
The ring is made of pure gold.
Los conquistadores buscaban oro en América.
The conquistadors were looking for gold in America.
Ganó la medalla de oro en los Juegos Olímpicos.
He won the gold medal in the Olympic Games.
Sus palabras valen oro.
His words are worth gold (are invaluable).
Mnemonics
- Think of the 'O' in 'oro' as a gold coin or ring.
- The word 'oro' sounds like the beginning of 'aurum' (Latin for gold) and 'aureate' (English for golden).
- Visualize a Spanish bullfighter with gold embroidery on their outfit saying 'Oro! Oro!' (Gold! Gold!)
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Gold has significant cultural importance in Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in pre-Columbian civilizations like the Inca, Maya, and Aztec, where it was associated with the sun and divinity. The Spanish conquest of the Americas was largely motivated by the search for gold. In modern Spanish-speaking cultures, gold jewelry often holds familial significance and is passed down through generations, especially in the form of religious medallions and family heirlooms.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Oro' (gold) is a noun referring to the precious metal, while 'orar' is a verb meaning 'to pray'.
Confused word:
Ella va a la iglesia a orar todos los domingos.
She goes to church to pray every Sunday.
Notes: The conjugated first-person singular present form of 'orar' is 'oro' (I pray), which can create confusion.
Mnemonic: Remember: 'oro' is the shiny metal, while 'orar' involves putting your hands together (like the 'ar' at the end) in prayer.
Explanation: 'Oro' means 'gold', while 'hora' means 'hour' or 'time'.
This word:
El brazalete de oro es un regalo de mi abuela.
The gold bracelet is a gift from my grandmother.
Notes: In Spanish, the 'h' in 'hora' is silent, making it sound similar to 'ora', which could be confused with 'oro'.
Mnemonic: 'Hora' has an 'h' at the beginning like 'hour', while 'oro' starts with 'o' like the circular shape of a gold coin.