lamentos
/lamentos/from spelling rules
In Spanish, wailing is translated as lamentos.
Lamentos is used to describe both the audible sounds of grief and the expressions of sorrow themselves.
Which one should you use?
While lamentos is the standard term, you might use different words depending on the intensity and context. Lamentación refers specifically to a lament or lamentation. For the action of wailing or mourning a loss, the verb ulular is used. If the wailing is softer and more subdued, like whimpering, use lloriquear. For a loud, informal scream or wail caused by fear, pain or sadness, use chillar. For an extremely intense, messy crying, the colloquial phrase llorar a moco tendido is used, which literally means to cry with a running nose.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun lamentos is related to the verb lamentar, which means to wail or to lament.
How do you pronounce it?
/lamentos/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, professional mourners who perform ritualistic wailing are known as plañideras.
- The word chillar can describe a wail of pain, but it is also the standard word for the high-pitched squeak of a door hinge or a brake.
- The verb lamentar is used so broadly in Spanish that it can describe a simple apology, such as saying 'I regret' in a professional email.
Examples in context
- El sonido de la lamentación inundó la sala cuando supieron la noticia trágica.The sound of wailing filled the room when they heard the tragic news.
- Las mujeres se reunieron alrededor del ataúd y comenzaron a ulular en señal de duelo.The women gathered around the casket and began wailing as a sign of mourning.
- Ella se sentó en la esquina y comenzó a lloriquear por su pérdida.She sat in the corner and began to wail softly for her loss.
- El niño asustado comenzó a gritar a todo pulmón en medio de la noche.The frightened child started wailing loudly in the middle of the night.
- Cuando tropezó, comenzó a chillar como si le hubieran hecho daño grave.When she tripped, she started wailing as if she had been seriously hurt.
- Después de perder el partido, el jugador estrella lloró a moco tendido en los vestuarios.After losing the game, the star player wailed uncontrollably in the locker room.
- Los lamentos se oían en la casa.The wailing could be heard in the house.
- Escuché sus lamentos durante la noche.I heard her wailing during the night.
- Sus lamentos rompían el silencio del funeral.Her wailing broke the silence of the funeral.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are discussing a sad scene in a movie.
- ElenaEsta escena es muy triste.This scene is very sad.
- AlejandroSí, los lamentos me ponen triste.Yes, the wailing makes me sad.
- Elena¿Crees que ella superará el dolor?Do you think she will overcome the pain?
- AlejandroNo lo sé, es muy doloroso.I don't know, it is very painful.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
