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

Part of Speech

Noun

Phonetic Transcription

/má.sa/

Translation Options into English

• mass
• dough
• bulk
• substance

Meaning and Usage

The word "masa" in Spanish has several meanings depending on the context:

1. Mass: In physics, "masa" refers to the quantity of matter in an object, which is a fundamental concept in both general and specific laws of motion.
2. Dough: In culinary terms, "masa" refers to a dough or paste made from flour and water, often used in a variety of recipes, particularly in Latin American cuisine.
3. Bulk or substance: It can refer to a large quantity or a thick consistency of any material.

Frequency of Use: "Masa" is commonly used in both oral and written contexts, with significant frequency in culinary discussions, scientific contexts, and daily conversations.

Example Sentences

• La masa para hacer pan necesita reposar.

• The dough for making bread needs to rest.

• En física, la masa influye en la gravedad que ejerce un objeto.

• In physics, mass influences the gravity exerted by an object.

• La masa de la tierra es mucho mayor que la de la luna.

• The mass of the Earth is much greater than that of the Moon.

Idiomatic Expressions

The term "masa" appears in several idiomatic expressions:

• Hacer masa: To gather or unite people or things for a common cause.
• Ejemplo: "Los estudiantes decidieron hacer masa para protestar por sus derechos."

• "The students decided to unite to protest for their rights."

• Masa crítica: Critical mass, usually referring to the minimum size or amount needed for a given effect.

• Ejemplo: "El proyecto alcanzó masa crítica y comenzó a atraer inversores."

• "The project reached critical mass and began to attract investors."

• Masa popular: Refers to the common people or a large group of citizens.

• Ejemplo: "El político tuvo el apoyo de la masa popular en las elecciones."
• "The politician had the support of the common people in the elections."

Etymology

The word "masa" comes from the Latin "māsa," which means a lump or a piece of dough, and has evolved to denote various meanings in modern Spanish.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Tamaño (size) - Cantidad (quantity) - Pasta (paste or dough)

Antonyms: - Pieza (piece) - Fraccion (fraction) - Infinito (infinity - in context of mass, as mass refers to a limited quantity)

Overall, "masa" is a versatile word in the Spanish language that finds its place in multiple domains, showcasing its importance in both everyday communication and specialized fields.