The term "llorona" refers to a person, typically a woman, who is either sad, weeps frequently, or expresses grief loudly. In a colloquial context, it may also refer to someone who complains a lot or is overly emotional. The word is frequently used in Puerto Rican, Argentine, Bolivian, and Uruguayan Spanish to describe someone who is seen as excessively sentimental.
"llorona" can also be associated with a legendary figure in Latin American folklore, known as "La Llorona," a ghostly woman who mourns her children.
The term is commonly used in casual conversation and appears more often in oral speech rather than in formal written contexts.
She is always complaining; she is a crybaby.
En la fiesta, la llorona no paró de hablar de sus problemas.
At the party, the weeper wouldn't stop talking about her problems.
La historia de La Llorona asusta a muchos niños.
The word "llorona" is often part of idiomatic phrases or expressions, particularly in Hispanic cultures. Below are some examples:
This expression is used to tell someone to stop complaining or to toughen up.
Llorona como una Magdalena
Refers to someone who is crying to an excess, evoking the emotional image of Mary Magdalene from biblical narratives.
Ser un llorón
Used to describe someone who frequently complains or is overly emotional.
Llora como una llorona
Stop being a crybaby and face the situation.
A veces es bueno llorar, pero no hay que ser una llorona todo el tiempo.
Sometimes it's good to cry, but you shouldn't be a weeper all the time.
En las películas de terror, muchas veces aparece la imagen de una llorona.
The word "llorona" is derived from the Spanish verb "llorar," which means "to cry." It has its roots in the Latin "lacrima" (tear) and emphasizes the act of crying or weeping.
This comprehensive overview sheds light on the word "llorona," its meanings, usage, and cultural significance in the Spanish-speaking world.