Cera

Part of Speech

Cera is a feminine noun.

Phonetic Transcription

/kˈeɾa/

Translation Options into English

• Wax
• Beef tallow (in specific contexts)
• Casein (in dairy contexts)

Meaning and Usage

The word "cera" generally refers to a solid substance that can be derived from various natural sources, primarily used for making candles, coatings, or various other products. In a medical context, "cera" can refer to certain types of bodily secretions or compounds, and in zoology, it might describe substances produced by animals, such as beeswax.

Cera is frequently used in both oral and written contexts, often more so in written contexts when discussing products or scientific terminologies.

Example Sentences

1. La cera se utiliza para hacer velas.

2. Translation: Wax is used to make candles.

3. Necesito comprar cera para proteger la madera.

4. Translation: I need to buy wax to protect the wood.

5. La cera de abejas es un producto natural muy valorado.

6. Translation: Beeswax is a highly valued natural product.

Idiomatic Expressions

"Cera" is involved in several idiomatic expressions in Spanish:

• Echar cera: This expression is used to indicate that someone is applying or using wax, often metaphorically to suggest someone is covering up or smoothing something over.
• Example: Siempre echa cera en sus problemas en lugar de enfrentarlos.

• Translation: He always waxes over his problems instead of facing them.

• Cera en la cabeza: This phrase typically refers to the idea of being slow or not very intelligent, similar to the English expression "slow on the uptake."

• Example: No entiendo por qué está tan confundido, ¿tiene cera en la cabeza?

• Translation: I don't understand why he is so confused; does he have wax in his head?

• La cera es la solución: This phrase can suggest that wax is the answer to a problem, which can also be used metaphorically in various scenarios.

• Example: Cuando no hay pegamento, la cera es la solución.
• Translation: When there's no glue, wax is the solution.

Etymology

The word "cera" originates from the Latin word "cera," which also means wax. Its usage has persisted through centuries, retaining similar meanings in both the classical and modern Latin-derived languages.

Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonyms:
• Para fina (beeswax in some regions)

• Cera de abejas (beeswax)

• Antonyms:

• Ninguno directo, dado que "cera" suele referirse a un material específico, pero se podrían considerar términos como "agua" o "aceite" en ciertos contextos de comparación de materia.