leyenda
/leˈʝenda/
The phrase "key or legend" in Spanish is translated as leyenda.
The term is used to refer to an explanatory list of symbols found on a map or chart. clave is a common translation for key or legend.
Which one should you use?
While leyenda can mean a map key, it also carries the meaning of a 'legend' in the sense of a folk tale or myth.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of leyenda is leyendas.
How do you pronounce it?
/leˈʝenda/
Did you know?
- In a musical context, the word leyenda might refer to a person's legacy, but it will never be used to describe a musical 'key' like C major.
- The Spanish word leyenda is used for both a map legend and the captions found under photographs in a textbook or newspaper.
- The word leyenda shares a common ancestor with the Spanish verb leer, which means 'to read'.
Examples in context
- La clave del éxitoThe key to success
- Busca la leyenda en la esquina del mapa.Look for the legend in the corner of the map.
- La leyenda explica todos los símbolos.The legend explains all the symbols.
- No entiendo la leyenda de este gráfico.I don't understand the legend of this chart.
Example conversation
Javier and María are looking at a hiking map in a park.
- Javier¿Qué significa este símbolo azul?What does this blue symbol mean?
- MaríaNo estoy segura, mira la leyenda.I'm not sure, look at the legend.
- JavierAh, ya veo, es un río.Ah, I see, it's a river.
- María¡Qué bueno que la encontramos!It's good that we found it!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry leyenda, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries leyenda, CC BY-SA 4.0.
