idioma principal
/idjoma pɾinθipal/from spelling rules
The English phrase "main language" is translated into Spanish as idioma principal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of idioma (language) and principal (main/principal).
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must change to their plural forms: idiomas principales.
Did you know?
- Spanish has a unique word, diglosia, to describe a society where two languages are used under different social conditions, often making one the idioma principal for formal use.
- The word lengua is a homonym that means both 'language' and the physical organ 'tongue'.
- The word idioma is derived from the Ancient Greek word idíōma, which originally meant a 'peculiarity' or a 'distinguishing feature'.
Examples in context
- Mi idioma principal es el español.My main language is Spanish.
- El inglés es mi lengua principal.English is my main language.
- El español es mi idioma principal.Spanish is my main language.
- ¿Cuál es el idioma principal de este país?What is the main language of this country?
- Necesito saber su idioma principal para la entrevista.I need to know your main language for the interview.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their linguistic skills.
- SofíaSofía, ¿cuál es tu idioma principal?Sofía, what is your main language?
- DanielMi idioma principal es el español.My main language is Spanish.
- SofíaYo también hablo español, pero no es el mío.I also speak Spanish, but it's not mine.
- DanielEntiendo, Daniel, es un idioma muy bonito.I understand, Daniel, it is a very beautiful language.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries idioma, principal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
