Noun
/donˈθe.ʝa/ (Castilian Spanish)
/donˈse.ʝa/ (Latin American Spanish)
The word doncella refers to a young unmarried woman, often implying innocence and virtue. In modern use, it can denote a young lady or maiden, but it also can carry a slightly archaic or literary connotation. It is relatively common in literary and formal contexts, but less so in everyday conversational language.
Frequency of Use:
Doncella is more frequently used in written contexts such as literature and poetry rather than in everyday speech.
The maiden was waiting for her prince in the tower.
En la historia, la doncella se convirtió en heroína.
In the story, the young woman became a heroine.
Ella fue la doncella elegida para representar a su pueblo.
While doncella does not have numerous idiomatic expressions attached to it, it often appears in literary phrases that evoke themes of purity, youth, and chivalry.
"The love of a maiden is an invaluable treasure."
"Las doncella de antaño eran símbolo de virtud."
"The maidens of yesteryear were symbols of virtue."
"Bajo la luna llena, la doncella danza con alegría."
"Under the full moon, the maiden dances with joy."
"La doncella del lago guardaba secretos antiguos."
The term doncella comes from the Latin doncella, which is a diminutive of domina, meaning "lady" or "mistress". Over time, it evolved to specifically refer to a young girl or maiden, typically associated with qualities of youth and purity.
Synonyms: - Joven (young woman) - Moza (girl, maid) - Virgen (virgin)
Antonyms:
- Casada (married woman)
- Madre (mother)
- Vieja (old woman)