cuarto menguante
/kwaɾto menɡwante/from spelling rules
The English phrase "waning crescent" is translated into Spanish as cuarto menguante.
cuarto menguante is used to describe the phase of the moon when it is less than half illuminated and decreasing in size.
How do you pronounce it?
/kwaɾto menɡwante/
Did you know?
- While cuarto menguante means 'waning crescent', the word cuarto also means 'room' in Spanish, as houses were historically divided into four or five sections.
- Spanish distinguishes between the moon 'growing' creciente and 'shrinking' menguante, which aligns with a cultural belief in some regions that certain activities should only be done during the creciente phase.
- The verb menguar used in menguante is the same root used in Spanish to describe a decrease in strength, power, or even one's physical size.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are looking at the night sky.
- DanielLucía, ¿ves la luna allá arriba?Lucía, do you see the moon up there?
- LucíaSí, parece un cuarto menguante.Yes, it looks like a waning crescent.
- DanielEs muy pequeña esta noche.It is very small tonight.
- LucíaTienes razón, Daniel.You are right, Daniel.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuarto, menguante, CC BY-SA 4.0.
