nana
/ˈnana/feminine
The English word lullaby is translated into Spanish as nana. Wiktionary also lists canción de cuna and canto de cuna.
Meaning: a soothing song to lull children to sleep (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| nana | /ˈnana/ | feminine |
| canción de cuna | /kanˌθjon de ˈkuna/ /kanˌsjon de ˈkuna/ |
feminine |
| canto de cuna | /ˌkanto de ˈkuna/ | masculine |
| arrullo | /aˈruʝo/ | masculine |
| arrurú | /aruɾu/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
While nana is the standard term for the song, arrullo can refer more broadly to a gentle sound or the act of cooing to soothe someone. This is related to the verb arrullar, which means to lull or soothe.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase canción de cuna is a literal construction meaning 'song of the cradle'.
Which one should you use?
nana is a more colloquial and common way to refer to a lullaby compared to the more formal canción de cuna. arrullo often refers to the soothing sound or the act of cooing/murmuring used to calm someone. arrurú is another masculine form used for a lullaby.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of nana is nanas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈnana/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, the term nana may be linked to the Quechua word nanay, which means 'pain'.
- The word nana is believed to be an imitation of the repetitive sounds of a baby babbling.
Examples in context
- Su voz es como una nana.Her voice is like a lullaby.This sentence compares a voice to a nana.Tatoeba #11713321 by Seael, translation #11713319 by LdjuherTaqvaylit
- Ann le cantó una nana a su hermana pequeña.Ann sang a lullaby for her little sister.This sentence describes singing a nana to a sibling.Tatoeba #1415463 by Shishir, translation #66833 by CN
- A Nemesio le encantaba quedarse dormido al arrullo nocturno del canto veraniego de los grillos.Nemesio loved to fall asleep to the nightly lullaby of the crickets' summer chirping.This sentence uses the word arrullo to describe the soothing sound of crickets.Tatoeba #8016841 by Seael, translation #10203039 by DJ_Saidez
- La abuela le cantó una hermosa canción de cuna al bebé antes de dormir.The grandmother sang a beautiful lullaby to the baby before sleep.
- El niño cayó en un profundo sueño después de escuchar la dulce nana.The child fell into a deep sleep after listening to the sweet lullaby.
- La madre entonó un arrullo tierno mientras acunaba al bebé.The mother sang a tender lullaby while cradling the baby.
- Duérmete mi niño, que la luna ya está saliendo.Go to sleep, my child, for the moon is rising now.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are in their living room during a quiet evening.
- DanielElena, ¿podrías cantarle una nana al bebé?Elena, could you sing a lullaby to the baby?
- ElenaClaro, Daniel, ya está casi dormido.Of course, Daniel, he is almost asleep.
- DanielTienes una voz muy bonita para la nana.You have a very beautiful voice for a lullaby.
- ElenaGracias, me alegra que te guste.Thank you, I'm glad you like it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lullaby” translations and entries nana, canción de cuna, canto de cuna, arrullo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries canción, canción de cuna, canto, cuna, de, nana, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
