dientes (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

"Dientes" is a noun.

Phonetic Transcription

/djentes/

Translation Options into English

• Teeth
• Gears (in mechanical contexts)

Meaning and Usage

In Spanish, "dientes" refers primarily to teeth, the hard structures in the jaws of animals and humans used for biting and chewing food. It can also refer to parts of machines or mechanical devices that resemble teeth (e.g., gears).

The term is commonly used in both oral and written contexts, with a slight prevalence in oral communication, especially in everyday conversations regarding health, dental care, and anatomy.

Example Sentences

1. Los dientes son fundamentales para la masticación.

2. The teeth are fundamental for chewing.

3. Debo ir al dentista porque tengo un diente cariado.

4. I need to go to the dentist because I have a decayed tooth.

5. Los dientes de la sierra son afilados.

6. The teeth of the saw are sharp.

Idiomatic Expressions

While "dientes" does not often appear in widely recognized idiomatic expressions, it can be used in contexts related to common sayings or phrases about difficulty, effort, or confrontation. Here are some examples:

1. "A reventar de dientes" – Literal translation: "To burst with teeth."
2. Context: This phrase can describe someone who is extremely agitated or angry.

3. Example: Estaba a reventar de dientes después de escuchar la noticia.

   • He was bursting with anger after hearing the news.

4. "De dientes para afuera" – Literal translation: "From teeth outward."

5. Context: This expression refers to someone who shows false enthusiasm or insincerity.

6. Example: Su apoyo a la causa era de dientes para afuera.

   • His support for the cause was insincere.

7. "Sacarse los dientes" – Literal translation: "To pull out one's teeth."

8. Context: This can refer to giving up power or influence.
9. Example: Decidió sacarse los dientes en la reunión y no objetar más.
   • He decided to back down in the meeting and not object anymore.

Etymology

The term "dientes" comes from the Latin "dentem," the accusative singular of "dens," which also means teeth. The evolution of the term has retained its core meaning related to dental structures through the transition from Latin to Spanish.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Muela (molar) - Incisivo (incisor) - Canino (canine)

Antonyms: - Ninguno directamente aplicable, ya que "dientes" hace referencia a una estructura física concreta.

In the context of gears: Synonyms: - Engranajes (gears) - Palas (blades)

Overall, the rich meanings and usage of "dientes" illustrate its significant role in both anatomical and mechanical discussions.