jota
/ˈxota/feminine
jota is the Spanish word for an Iberian dance style.
A jota refers to a traditional style of folk dance and music.
Meaning: Iberian dance style (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a feminine noun. Its plural form is las jotas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈxota/
When do people say it?
The jota is a traditional folk dance and music style that is common in many regions of Spain, most notably in Aragon.
Did you know?
- The word jota is also the name for the letter 'j' in the Spanish alphabet.
- In Spanish, the phrase no me digas ni jota is used to tell someone not to say a single word, similar to the English 'not a peep'.
- In some historical contexts, the word jota was linked to the Mozarabic word šáwta, meaning 'a jump'. This reflects how medieval Spanish-speaking communities in Iberia helped shape the vocabulary of movement.
Examples in context
- La jota es muy alegre.The jota is very joyful.
- Ella baila una jota tradicional.She dances a traditional jota.
- Me gusta el ritmo de la jota.I like the rhythm of the jota.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are watching a folk festival.
- DanielMira, María, ¡están bailando la jota!Look, María, they are dancing the jota!
- MaríaEs verdad, Daniel, es muy alegre.It's true, Daniel, it is very cheerful.
- Daniel¿Sabes bailar la jota tú?Do you know how to dance the jota?
- MaríaNo, pero me encantaría aprender.No, but I would love to learn.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jota” translations and entries jota, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jota, CC BY-SA 4.0.
