The word "mueca" refers to a facial expression, usually one that is exaggerated or playful, often made to convey a specific emotion, like disgust, amusement, or annoyance. It is commonly used in both oral and written contexts in Spanish, with a frequency that suggests it is more prevalent in everyday spoken language, especially in informal settings.
The girl made a grimace when she tasted the lemon.
Su mueca burlona no me gustó nada.
His smirking face did not please me at all.
Al escuchar el chiste, no pude evitar hacer una mueca.
The term "mueca" is not commonly found in many idiomatic expressions, but it often appears in situations concerning emotional expression or reactions.
There’s no need to make faces; we should talk about it.
Hacía muecas mientras intentaba imitar a su amigo.
She was grimacing while trying to imitate her friend.
A veces, las muecas pueden decir más que las palabras.
The word "mueca" comes from the Latin "mŏdīca," which means a small or slight thing, particularly referring to slight facial expressions. Over time, it evolved in Spanish to denote a specific facial expression or gesture.