zeta
/ˈθeta/feminine
The Spanish word for the sixth letter of the Greek alphabet is zeta. Wiktionary also lists dseta.
Meaning: sixth letter of the Greek alphabet (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| zeta | /ˈθeta/ /ˈseta/ |
feminine |
| dseta | /ˈ(d)seta/ | feminine |
The word refers specifically to the letter 'zeta' in the Greek alphabet.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some areas of Spain, such as Andalusia, the phenomenon "seseo" results in the "z" and "s" sounds merging.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈθeta/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish dialects, saying zeta sounds identical to the word seta, which means 'mushroom'.
- The spelling of the word zeta changed during the transition from Old Spanish to Modern Spanish, when the letter 'c' in the original word ceda was replaced by 'z'.
- In Spanish mathematics and physics, the zeta function is a famous tool used in complex analysis, often appearing in the 'Riemann zeta function'.
Examples in context
- La zeta es la sexta letra.The zeta is the sixth letter.
- No sé cómo se escribe la zeta.I don't know how to write zeta.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are studying the Greek alphabet together.
- Mateo¿Sabes cuál es la sexta letra?Do you know which is the sixth letter?
- MaríaSí, es la zeta.Yes, it is zeta.
- MateoPerfecto, ¿puedes escribir la zeta?Perfect, can you write zeta?
- MaríaClaro, lo haré ahora.Sure, I will do it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “zeta” translations and entries zeta, dseta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries zeta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
