marea
Lemma: marea
Translation: tide; sea tide; flood; surge; mass; large quantity (noun)
Etymology: From Latin 'mare' (sea) with the feminine suffix '-a'. The word evolved to describe the periodic rising and falling of sea levels caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun. The English cognate 'marine' also derives from Latin 'mare', though English 'tide' comes from a different Germanic root. The connection to water movement and cyclical patterns is central to understanding the word's various metaphorical uses.
Example Usage
La marea sta salendo rapidamente.
The tide is rising rapidly.
C'era una marea di gente al concerto.
There was a sea of people at the concert.
Dobbiamo aspettare che la marea si ritiri.
We have to wait for the tide to recede.
Una marea di emozioni mi ha travolto.
A flood of emotions overwhelmed me.
C'è stata una marea di gente al concerto.
There was a flood of people at the concert.
Venezia è soggetta al fenomeno dell'alta marea.
Venice is subject to the phenomenon of high tide.
Una marea di gente ha invaso la piazza.
A flood of people invaded the square.
Venezia soffre spesso del fenomeno dell'alta marea.
Venice often suffers from the phenomenon of high tide.
C'è stata una marea di richieste dopo l'annuncio.
There was a flood of requests after the announcement.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'mare' (sea) + 'a' = the sea in motion
- Sounds like 'Maria' who waves her arms like the tide moving in and out
- Remember 'area of the sea' (mare+area) that rises and falls
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
In Italian coastal cities, especially Venice, the concept of 'marea' is particularly important due to the phenomenon of 'acqua alta' (high water) that periodically floods parts of the city. The word is also commonly used metaphorically to describe large movements of people or trends.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Mare' means 'sea' while 'marea' refers to 'tide'. 'Mare' is masculine (il mare) while 'marea' is feminine (la marea).
Notes: The metaphorical uses of 'marea' (to indicate large quantities) don't apply to 'mare'.
Mnemonic: 'Marea' has an extra 'a' - think of it as the sea (mare) plus movement (a).
Explanation: 'Marea' means 'tide' while 'marcia' means 'march' or 'gear' (in a vehicle). They look and sound similar but have completely different meanings.
Notes: 'Marcia' can also mean 'rotten' (feminine form of 'marcio') in some contexts.
Mnemonic: 'Marcia' has a 'c' - think of it as the 'c' in 'march'.