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

Part of Speech

Noun

Phonetic Transcription

/sɪˈɾena/

Translation Options into English

• Siren (mythological creature)
• Mermaid
• Alarm (in some contexts, like warning signals)

Meaning and Usage

In Spanish, "sirena" refers primarily to a mythical aquatic creature with the upper body of a woman and the lower body of a fish, akin to the English term "mermaid". In a military or nautical context, it can also refer to a warning signal or alarm, often used to alert people of danger or to signal something important.

The word is used fairly frequently in both oral and written contexts, especially when discussing mythology, marine folklore, or within the framework of emergency services.

Example Sentences

1. Las sirenas son criaturas mágicas que han fascinado a la humanidad desde la antigüedad.

2. Mermaids are magical creatures that have fascinated humanity since ancient times.

3. El sonido de la sirena indicó que era hora de evacuar el edificio.

4. The sound of the siren indicated that it was time to evacuate the building.

5. En algunas leyendas, las sirenas atraen a los marineros hacia su perdición.

6. In some legends, sirens lure sailors to their doom.

Idiomatic Expressions

The word "sirena" is used in several idiomatic expressions, mainly relating to alarms or sounds that catch attention.

1. "A sonar la sirena"
2. This phrase means to raise an alarm or to alert people about a pressing issue.
3. "Cuando alguien miente, lo mejor es sonar la sirena para que todos se den cuenta."

4. "When someone lies, it's best to raise the alarm so that everyone realizes it."

5. "Bailar como sirena"

6. This expression highlights gracefulness or charm in movement, often referring to smooth dancing.
7. "Ella baila como sirena en cada fiesta."

8. "She dances like a siren at every party."

9. "Estar en la sirena"

10. Used colloquially to describe being in a state of alert or readiness, often in a stressful situation.
11. "Siempre estoy en la sirena cuando estoy en una reunión importante."
12. "I’m always on alert when I’m in an important meeting."

Etymology

The term "sirena" derives from the Latin "sirena," which comes from the Greek word "Σειρήν" (Seirēn). The Greeks used this term to describe the enchanting creatures that sang to sailors on their voyages, leading them to disaster.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Siren (for both alarm and mythical creature) - Mujer pez (fish woman, informal for mermaid)

Antonyms: - Silencio (silence; the opposite of the alarm aspect in some contexts) - There are no direct antonyms, as "sirena" mainly denotes a specific concept without clear oppositional terms in its main uses.

Overall, "sirena" is a multifaceted term applicable across various domains, and its usage enriches both oral and written Spanish communication.