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

Part of Speech

The word mamar is a verb in Spanish.

Phonetic Transcription

Phonetic transcription of mamar in International Phonetic Alphabet: /maˈmaɾ/

Translation Options into English

1. To suck
2. To nurse (breastfeed)
3. To chew (in a more colloquial sense)
4. To sip (informally)

Meaning and Usage

Mamar primarily refers to the act of sucking or nursing, particularly in the context of infants breastfeeding. It can also be used colloquially to describe drinking something in small amounts or in a leisurely way.

In terms of frequency, mamar is commonly used in both oral and written contexts, though it is more prevalent in oral speech regarding everyday situations involving young children or casual conversations about drinking.

Example Sentences

• El bebé necesita mamar cada pocas horas.

• The baby needs to nurse every few hours.

• Los animales también suelen mamar de sus madres al nacer.

• Animals also tend to suckle from their mothers at birth.

• Me gusta mamar un poco de limonada mientras me relajo en el jardín.

• I like to sip a little lemonade while I relax in the garden.

Idiomatic Expressions

While mamar is primarily a literal term, it does appear in colloquial expressions, especially in some regions.

Example Idiomatic Expressions

1. Mamar gallo – To joke around or to mess with someone.
2. No me mames gallo, estoy hablando en serio.

3. Don't mess with me, I'm being serious.

4. Mamar la misma leche – To be in the same situation or to have the same interests as someone.

5. Siempre estamos mamando la misma leche en las reuniones.

6. We're always in the same boat at meetings.

7. Mamar de lo ajeno – To take advantage of something that does not belong to oneself.

8. No quiero seguir mamando de lo ajeno, necesito ser independiente.
9. I don’t want to keep taking advantage of what isn’t mine, I need to be independent.

Etymology

The word mamar derives from the Latin word mammāre, which means "to suckle." This Latin root is related to terms concerning the breast, showing how the usage of the verb is linked to nursing and nurturing.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms

• Suciar (in some informal contexts, referring to sucking)
• Beber (to drink, in a more general sense)

Antonyms

• Escupir (to spit)
• Dejar de mamar (to stop sucking)

This comprehensive overview provides a detailed insight into the term mamar, its uses, and its importance in the Spanish language.