hamaca
/aˈmaka/feminine
The English phrase "hammock" is translated into Spanish as hamaca. Wiktionary also lists hamaca paraguaya and chinchorro.
Meaning: swinging couch or bed (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| hamaca | /aˈmaka/ | feminine |
| hamaca paraguaya | /aˌmaka paɾaˈɡwaʝa/ | Argentina, Uruguay, feminine |
| chinchorro | /t͡ʃinˈt͡ʃoro/ | masculine |
A hammock refers to a swinging couch or bed.
Which one should you use?
hamaca is the general term used across the language, whereas chinchorro is a common synonym used in many parts of Latin America, particularly in coastal or Caribbean regions. hamaca paraguaya refers specifically to a certain style of woven hammock.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Puerto Rico and some parts of the Caribbean, the term chinchorro is commonly used. In Argentina and Uruguay, the specific term hamaca paraguaya is used to refer to a certain style of woven hammock.
How does it change in a sentence?
hamaca and hamaca paraguaya are feminine nouns, while chinchorro is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈmaka/
Did you know?
- The English word 'hammock' is actually a loanword derived from the Spanish hamaca.
- In many Caribbean-influenced Spanish dialects, the word chinchorro is used for a hammock. However, in other contexts, this same word can refer to a small, rustic roadside bar or eatery.
- The word hamaca is not of Spanish origin, but instead comes from the Taíno language of the Caribbean. It entered the Spanish vocabulary through the indigenous people who first used these woven beds.
Examples in context
- Puedes dormir en la hamaca.You can sleep in the hammock.This sentence shows how to use hamaca in the context of sleeping.Tatoeba #11624312 by ecorralest101, translation #12918380 by araneo
- Julio se está hamacando en la hamaca que colgué bajo el viejo roble.Julio is swinging in the hammock that I hung under the old oak tree.This sentence shows how to use hamaca when describing someone swinging.Tatoeba #2263390 by hayastan, translation #694072 by darinmex
- ¡Qué ganas tengo de echarme una siesta en la hamaca colgante del porche!I'm looking forward to taking a nap in the hanging hammock on the porch!
- Las hamacas son una parte importante de nuestra cultura. Muchos disfrutan dormir en una cama de red para mantenerse frescos durante la noche.Hammocks are an important part of our culture. Many people enjoy sleeping in a net bed to stay cool during the night.
- Después de un largo día de trabajo, me gusta descansar en el chinchorro del balcón.After a long day of work, I like to relax on the balcony hammock.
- La hamaca es muy cómoda para descansar.The hammock is very comfortable for resting.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are relaxing at a beach house.
- ElenaMira, Daniel, ¡hay una hamaca allí!Look, Daniel, there is a hammock there!
- DanielQué bien, me gustaría descansar un rato.That's great, I would like to rest for a while.
- ElenaYo también, pero solo cabe una persona.Me too, but only one person fits.
- DanielNo importa, tú usa la hamaca primero.It doesn't matter, you use the hammock first.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hammock” translations and entries hamaca, hamaca paraguaya, chinchorro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chinchorro, hamaca, hamaca paraguaya, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
