The word "criada" is a noun.
/bɾiˈaða/
The term "criada" refers to a female domestic servant or maid who is employed to perform household tasks. It can also refer to a girl or young woman who takes care of children, similar to a nanny or caregiver. The word is not commonly used in modern Spanish as it may carry antiquated connotations in more urban contexts but is still prevalent in some regions and in rural areas.
It can be encountered in both oral and written forms; however, it tends to be more frequent in written contexts or literature that reflects older social structures.
La criada se encargó de limpiar la casa y hacer la comida.
The maid took care of cleaning the house and making food.
La niña jugaba con su criada en el jardín.
The girl was playing with her maid in the garden.
While "criada" itself is not commonly featured in idiomatic expressions, it does appear in certain phrases that reflect social or literary contexts.
Tener una criada es un lujo que pocos pueden permitirse.
Having a maid is a luxury that few can afford.
La criada de la novela siempre sabía todos los secretos de la familia.
The maid in the novel always knew all the family's secrets.
En tiempos antiguos, las criaditas eran parte fundamental de todas las casas nobles.
In ancient times, maids were a fundamental part of all noble households.
The term "criada" originates from the Latin word "creata," which is the feminine form of "creatus," derived from "creare," meaning "to create" or "to make." Over time, the word has evolved in various Romance languages to refer to domestic workers or servants specifically.
This comprehensive overview of the word "criada" captures its meanings, usage, idiomatic expressions, and context within the Spanish language as of the latest data.