Isla Mujeres
/isla muxeɾes/from spelling rules
Isla Mujeres is the Spanish name for the phrase 'isla mujeres'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'Island of Women', where isla means island and mujeres means women.
How do you pronounce it?
/isla muxeɾes/
Did you know?
- The English word 'island' is a false cognate of isla. While isla comes from the Latin 'insula', the 's' in 'island' was added in the 16th century by mistake to make it look more like the Latin word.
- The name Isla Mujeres is linked to an ancient Mayan legend about goddesses who used the island as a sanctuary for women fleeing the mainland.
- The word mujer originally meant 'wife' before it evolved to mean 'woman' in a general sense, which is why the phrase can be interpreted as 'Island of Wives'.
Examples in context
- Queremos ir a Isla Mujeres este verano.We want to go to Isla Mujeres this summer.
- El ferry para Isla Mujeres sale pronto.The ferry to Isla Mujeres leaves soon.
- Ella prefiere las playas de Isla Mujeres.She prefers the beaches of Isla Mujeres.
Example conversation
Two friends are planning a weekend trip in Mexico.
- María¿Te gustaría visitar Isla Mujeres?Would you like to visit Isla Mujeres?
- JavierSí, me encanta Isla Mujeres.Yes, I love Isla Mujeres.
- MaríaPodemos reservar un hotel allá.We can book a hotel there.
- JavierEs una idea excelente, María.That is an excellent idea, María.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Isla, Mujeres, isla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
