La Llorona
/la ʝoɾona/from spelling rules
The English phrase "the weeping woman" is translated into Spanish as La Llorona.
What does it mean word for word?
The term Llorona is derived from the Spanish verb llorar (to cry or weep), combined with the suffix -ona, which is used to denote a person who performs an action intensely or excessively.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the feminine definite article La to agree with the feminine noun Llorona.
How do you pronounce it?
/la ʝoɾona/
When do people say it?
In Latin American folklore, La Llorona is a legendary figure. She is the ghost of a woman who wanders near water mourning her lost children.
Did you know?
- The legend of La Llorona is often linked to La Malinche, the indigenous translator for Hernán Cortés during the Spanish conquest of Mexico.
- The adjective form llorón or llorona is often used colloquially to describe someone who is a 'crybaby' or prone to complaining excessively.
- In many Mexican households, parents use the name La Llorona to frighten children into staying away from rivers or swimming pools at night.
Examples in context
- Vi a la mujer que llora en el parqueI saw the woman crying in the park
- La pintura representa a la mujer llorando desconsoladamenteThe painting depicts the woman sobbing inconsolably
- Dicen que La Llorona vive cerca del río.They say the weeping woman lives near the river.
- Esa leyenda trata sobre La Llorona.That legend is about the weeping woman.
- Muchos niños le temen a La Llorona.Many children are afraid of the weeping woman.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are discussing scary stories in a cafe.
- Alejandro¿Has oído la historia de La Llorona?Have you heard the story of the weeping woman?
- LucíaSí, es un relato muy aterrador.Yes, it is a very terrifying tale.
- AlejandroA ella no le gusta que la molesten.She does not like to be disturbed.
- LucíaEs verdad, su llanto es muy triste.It is true, her weeping is very sad.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
