siembra
/ˈsjembɾa/
The English word 'planting' is translated into Spanish as siembra.
siembra is a noun used to describe the act of setting a plant in the ground. While siembra refers specifically to the process of sowing seeds or crops, the related verb cultivar is a formal way to express the act of cultivating or growing plants.
Meaning: act of setting a plant in the ground (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The noun siembra is derived from the verb sembrar, which means 'to plant'.
Which one should you use?
Use siembra specifically when referring to the act of sowing seeds or planting crops. In contrast, the word plantación is more commonly used when referring to the act of planting trees or large-scale plantations.
How does it change in a sentence?
siembra is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsjembɾa/
Did you know?
- The noun siembra is closely related to the Latin word 'seminarium', which is the ancestor of the English word 'seminary'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the siembra is not just agricultural but spiritual, often coinciding with specific lunar phases to ensure a better harvest.
- While siembra describes the act of planting, the phrase sembrar el pánico is a common idiom meaning 'to sow panic' among a group of people.
Examples in context
- Estoy a punto de sembrar las semillas en el jardínI am about to plant the seeds in the garden
- Mi abuela cultiva hermosas flores en su patioMy grandmother cultivates beautiful flowers in her backyard
- Voy a echar las semillas y ver qué sucedeI'm going to plant the seeds and see what happens
- Puse varios arbustos de lavanda en el jardínI planted several lavender bushes in the garden
- En el otoño, planté bulbos de tulipán en mi jardínIn the fall, I planted tulip bulbs in my garden
- Estoy planeando sembrar un huerto en primaveraI am planning to plant a vegetable garden in spring
- Voy a cultivar diferentes tipos de hierbas en mi balcónI am going to grow different types of herbs on my balcony
- Ayer eché unas semillas de girasol en macetasYesterday I planted some sunflower seeds in pots
- Puse unas plantas de tomate en el jardín traseroI put some tomato plants in the backyard
- Planté unas palmas en el patio trasero de mi casa en la costaI planted some palm trees in the backyard of my coastal house
- La siembra de maíz es en primavera.The planting of corn is in spring.
- La siembra de maíz comenzó en mayo.The planting of corn began in May.
- La siembra requiere mucha paciencia.The planting requires a lot of patience.
- Prepararemos la tierra para la siembra.We will prepare the soil for the planting.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are planning their garden.
- LucíaJavier, ¿cuándo hacemos la siembra?Javier, when are we doing the planting?
- JavierPodemos empezar este sábado.We can start this Saturday.
- LucíaPerfecto, yo compraré las semillas.Perfect, I will buy the seeds.
- JavierMuy bien, Lucía.Very well, Lucía.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry siembra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries siembra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
