muérdago
/ˈmweɾdaɡo/
The English word mistletoe is translated into Spanish as muérdago.
muérdago is a noun referring to a sprig of one such plant used as a Christmas decoration.
Meaning: sprig of one such plant used as a Christmas decoration (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of muérdago is muérdagos.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmweɾdaɡo/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word muérdago may be related to the Latin word mordicus meaning 'biting'. This likely refers to how the plant behaves as a parasite that 'bites' into the branches of its host tree.
- While muérdago is the plant name, Spanish speakers in many countries do not have a native tradition of kissing under it. They usually adopt the custom as a modern import from English-speaking cultures.
- Unlike the English 'mistletoe' which is often associated with love, muérdago in some older regional folklore was viewed with suspicion because the plant steals nutrients from other trees.
Examples in context
- Colgué un poco de muérdago en la puerta.I hung some mistletoe on the door.
- El muérdago es una decoración típica de Navidad.Mistletoe is a typical Christmas decoration.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are decorating their living room for Christmas.
- Elena¿Dónde pusiste el muérdago, Javier?Where did you put the mistletoe, Javier?
- JavierLo puse sobre el marco de la puerta.I put it above the door frame.
- Elena¡Qué bien queda! Es muy bonito.It looks great! It is very pretty.
- JavierMe alegra que te guste, Elena.I'm glad you like it, Elena.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry muérdago, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries muérdago, CC BY-SA 4.0.
