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

Part of Speech

Grulla is a noun.

Phonetic Transcription

/ˈɡru.ʝa/

Translation Options into English

• Crane (the bird)
• Gray (referring to color, often used descriptively)

Meaning and Usage

Grulla refers primarily to a species of bird known as the crane. In a military or colloquial context, it may also refer to a color descriptor, commonly indicating a gray or grayish hue, particularly in cavalry or military uniforms.

Frequency of Use

The term is more commonly used in oral speech, especially in contexts relating to nature, birds, and color description. It is frequently heard in discussions of wildlife, ornithology, and casual conversations about animals.

Example Sentences

1. La grulla es un ave migratoria que se encuentra en muchas partes del mundo.

2. The crane is a migratory bird found in many parts of the world.

3. Mi caballo es de color grulla, tiene un hermoso pelaje gris.

4. My horse is gray, it has a beautiful gray coat.

5. En primavera, podemos ver muchas grullas en el estanque del parque.

6. In spring, we can see many cranes at the pond in the park.

Idiomatic Expressions

The word grulla is not frequently found in many idiomatic expressions but can be related to a few phrases that involve the concept of 'gray' as a symbol for neutrality or indecisiveness.

Example Idiomatic Expressions

1. "Estar en un área grulla" - "To be in a gray area."
2. A pesar de que el acuerdo parecía claro, había muchos términos en el contrato que estaban en un área grulla.

3. Even though the agreement seemed clear, there were many terms in the contract that were in a gray area.

4. "Ver todo en tonos de grulla" - "To see everything in shades of gray."

5. Es difícil tomar decisiones cuando se empieza a ver todo en tonos de grulla.

6. It’s hard to make decisions when you start to see everything in shades of gray.

7. "Hacer una elección grulla" - "To make a gray choice."

8. La política a menudo significa hacer una elección grulla entre alternativas igualmente malas.
9. Politics often means making a gray choice between equally bad alternatives.

Etymology

The word grulla derives from the Latin term grūlla, which refers to the bird known for its long legs and neck. The transformation in the Spanish language helped to adopt this term, mainly influenced by the bird's characteristics and symbolism over time.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Ave (bird) - Avestruz (ostrich) - in a broader sense of large birds, although they are different species.

Antonyms: There are no direct antonyms for grulla as it pertains specifically to the crane species, but in terms of color: - Negro (black) - Blanco (white)

In summary, grulla is primarily known for its association with the crane, both in zoology and in contexts where color and neutrality are discussed. It's a versatile word used in both spoken and written formats, with a vibrant presence in idiomatic expressions reflecting the complexities of choice and perspective.