Part of Speech

The word "mascar" is a verb in Spanish.

Phonetic Transcription

The phonetic transcription of "mascar" using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is /masˈkaɾ/.

Translation Options into English

"Mascar" can be translated into English as: - To chew - To gnaw - To munch

Meaning and Usage

"Mascar" means to chew or to grind food in the mouth. It is often used in relation to chewing gum, food, or other substances that can be chewed. The frequency of use is moderate, largely depending on the context—it's commonly used in oral speech but can also appear in written texts such as recipes, health articles, or culinary reviews.

Example Sentences

1. Voy a mascar este chicle mientras estudio.

2. I am going to chew this gum while I study.

3. Es importante mascar bien la comida para facilitar la digestión.

4. It is important to chew food well to aid digestion.

5. Los niños a veces se olvidan de mascar su comida.

6. Children sometimes forget to chew their food.

Idiomatic Expressions

"Mascar" is not widely used in prominent idiomatic expressions, but it can relate to phrases emphasizing understanding or digesting ideas. Here are a few expressions where "mascar" could apply metaphorically:

1. Mascar una idea.
2. To mull over an idea.
3. Necesito mascar esta idea antes de tomar una decisión.

4. I need to mull over this idea before making a decision.

5. Mascar los problemas.

6. To chew over problems.
7. A veces es bueno mascar los problemas antes de hablar sobre ellos.

8. Sometimes it is good to chew over problems before talking about them.

9. Mascar las palabras.

10. To weigh one's words carefully.
11. Antes de responder, es mejor mascar las palabras.
12. It's better to weigh your words carefully before responding.

Etymology

The word "mascar" originates from the Latin term "māscāre," which means "to chew" or "to grind." Its roots are associated with actions of mastication, which have been a part of human dietary practices since ancient times.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms

• Masticar (to chew)
• Rumiar (to ruminate, to chew again)
• Amasar (to knead, which is used in the context of mixing food)

Antonyms

• Tragar (to swallow)
• Ingerir (to ingest)

This comprehensive overview provides insight into the use and significance of the word "mascar" in the Spanish language.