dama blanca
/dama blanka/from spelling rules
The English phrase "white lady" translates to Spanish as dama blanca.
In Latin American folklore, la dama blanca refers to a specific type of female ghost or specter. In certain Latin American countries, the colloquial term gringa may also be used to refer to a white lady or white foreigners.
Meaning: in folklore (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of dama (lady) and blanca (white).
How does it change in a sentence?
Because dama is a feminine noun, you must use the feminine definite article la when saying la dama blanca (the white lady). To form the plural las damas blancas (the white ladies), both the noun and the adjective must take the plural suffix -s.
Did you know?
- The word dama was borrowed into Spanish from the French word dame.
- Sightings of la dama blanca are frequently tied to specific landmarks like old bridges and lonely highways rather than just houses.
- Spanish has several terms for ghosts, but dama implies a level of social status or grace that a generic fantasma does not possess.
Examples in context
- La mujer blanca que conocí ayer era muy amableThe white lady I met yesterday was very kind
- Dicen que la dama blanca aparece en el bosque.They say the white lady appears in the forest.
- Muchos temen encontrarse con la dama blanca por la noche.Many fear encountering the white lady at night.
- Esa leyenda trata sobre una dama blanca muy triste.That legend is about a very sad white lady.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are discussing local myths while walking at night.
- Daniel¿Has oído hablar de la dama blanca?Have you heard of the white lady?
- SofíaSí, mi abuela me contaba historias de ella.Yes, my grandmother used to tell me stories about her.
- DanielEs una historia que da mucho miedo.It is a story that is very scary.
- SofíaTienes razón, es un mito muy famoso.You are right, it is a very famous myth.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dama, CC BY-SA 4.0.
