paréntesis
/paɾentesis/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'parentheses' is translated into Spanish as paréntesis.
paréntesis refers to the curved punctuation marks used to enclose additional information within a sentence. When you want to describe text that is enclosed by these marks, the standard phrase is entre paréntesis (in parentheses).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word paréntesis is the same in both its singular and plural forms. To indicate that you are referring to a single parenthesis, use the singular masculine article el before it, as in el paréntesis.
How do you pronounce it?
/paɾentesis/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, hacer un paréntesis is a common idiom meaning to take a brief break or a diversion from the main topic of a conversation.
- The word paréntesis traces its roots back to an Ancient Greek term meaning 'placing alongside'. It originally described the act of adding a letter to a syllable rather than the punctuation mark itself.
- The gender of paréntesis is always masculine, so you must say el paréntesis even if the text inside the marks is feminine.
Examples in context
- Pedí que utilizaran paréntesis, no corchetes.I told them to use parentheses, not brackets.This sentence is useful for distinguishing between the use of paréntesis and brackets.Tatoeba #1255575 by hayastan, translation #1256892 by CM
- Ponga entre paréntesis las palabras en su forma abreviada.Put the words in parentheses into abbreviated form.This sentence shows how to use the phrase entre paréntesis to describe words enclosed by the marks.Tatoeba #7584327 by Eremon, translation #63692 by orcrist
- Complete las oraciones. Use la forma correcta del verbo entre paréntesis. Use contracciones.Complete the sentences. Use the correct form of the verb in parentheses. Use contractions.This sentence demonstrates how to give instructions involving the use of the correct verb form within paréntesis.Tatoeba #10065114 by DJ_Saidez, translation #10016770 by espamatics
- Para enfatizar la idea principal, puedes utilizar paréntesis.To emphasize the main idea, you can use parentheses.
- Recuerda cerrar los paréntesis después de la aclaración.Remember to close the parentheses after the clarification.
- Mi hermana (la menor de todas) es muy talentosa.My sister (the youngest of them all) is very talented.
- El libro que te recomendé (el de tapa blanda) está en la mesa.The book I recommended to you (the paperback one) is on the table.
- Fui al supermercado (donde compré leche y huevos), luego a la farmacia (donde compré medicinas) y, finalmente, a la estación de servicio (donde llené el tanque de gasolina).I went to the supermarket (where I bought milk and eggs), then to the pharmacy (where I bought medicine), and finally, to the gas station (where I filled up the tank).
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are checking a printed document.
- Daniel¿Por qué hay un paréntesis aquí?Why is there a parenthesis here?
- SofíaEs para añadir una nota aclaratoria.It is to add a clarifying note.
- DanielEntiendo, parece que está bien.I see, it looks fine.
- SofíaPerfecto, entonces no lo borres.Perfect, then don't delete it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries paréntesis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
