un diccionario
/un diɡθjonaɾjo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, one dictionary is un diccionario.
The phrase is used to refer to a single book or digital resource that lists words and their meanings.
What does it mean word for word?
The word un is the masculine singular indefinite article, which can mean 'one' or 'a/an'. The word diccionario is a masculine noun meaning 'dictionary'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase un diccionario can mean both 'one dictionary' or 'a dictionary'. If you need to talk about the plural, use unos diccionarios for 'some dictionaries' or los diccionarios for 'the dictionaries'.
How do you pronounce it?
/un diɡθjonaɾjo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use una diccionario. While English speakers may mistakenly use the feminine article una by assuming the noun is feminine, diccionario is a masculine noun and must be paired with the masculine article un.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the 'gold standard' for any diccionario is the one produced by the Real Academia Española. This institution is one of the few in the world that officially regulates the language.
- The word diccionario shares a root with the English word 'dictate'. Both come from the Latin dīcō, meaning 'to say' or 'to speak'.
- The word diccionario ends in -ario, a common suffix in Spanish for collections or places. It is related to other words for organized sets like vocabulario and herbario.
Examples in context
- Un hombre, una palabra. Una mujer, un diccionario.One man, one word. One woman, one dictionary.This sentence demonstrates the use of the phrase un diccionario in a comparative context.Tatoeba #13568592 by Seael, translation #2195636 by dafp
- Necesito comprar un diccionario español-inglésI need to buy a Spanish-English dictionary.
- Necesito un diccionario para mi clase.I need a dictionary for my class.
- ¿Tienes un diccionario de español?Do you have a Spanish dictionary?
Example conversation
Daniel is studying at a desk and asks Sofía for help.
- DanielSofía, ¿tienes un diccionario a mano?Sofía, do you have a dictionary handy?
- SofíaSí, tengo un diccionario sobre la mesa.Yes, I have a dictionary on the table.
- DanielGracias, lo usaré para estudiar.Thanks, I will use it to study.
- SofíaDe nada, Daniel.You're welcome, Daniel.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries diccionario, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
