lengua de suegra
/lenɡwa de sweɡɾa/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'snake plant' can be translated into Spanish as lengua de suegra.
The term refers to a type of indoor plant characterized by its stiff, sword-shaped leaves.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase lengua de suegra literally translates to 'mother-in-law's tongue'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and parts of Central America, you may also hear the plant referred to as Planta de la suegra.
How do you pronounce it?
/lenɡwa de sweɡɾa/
When do people say it?
The name is a common colloquialism in many Spanish-speaking countries. It personifies the plant's sharp leaves, suggesting they are as 'sharp' or 'stinging' as a mother-in-law's tongue.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the sharp leaves of the lengua de suegra are symbolically linked to protection and the warding off of bad energy from the home.
- The Spanish word suegra is a distant linguistic cousin to the Russian word Свекровь, both descending from the same ancient Indo-European root.
- The word lengua is a linguistic 'double agent' because it refers to both the physical 'tongue' in your mouth and the abstract concept of 'language'.
Examples in context
- La lengua de suegra es una planta resistente y fácil de cuidar.Mother-in-law's tongue is a resilient and easy-to-care-for plant.
- Compré una lengua de suegra para la sala.I bought a snake plant for the living room.
- ¿Esa es una lengua de suegra?Is that a snake plant?
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are in a garden center.
- DanielMira esta lengua de suegra, Sofía.Look at this snake plant, Sofía.
- SofíaEs muy bonita y muy resistente.It is very beautiful and very hardy.
- DanielDeberíamos llevarla a casa.We should take it home.
- SofíaSí, quedaría perfecta en tu estudio.Yes, it would look perfect in your study.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, lengua, suegra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
