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

Part of Speech

Verb

Phonetic Transcription

/ta.miˈθaɾ/ (in Latin America, /ta.miˈzaɾ/)

Translation Options into English

• To sieve
• To strain
• To filter
• To sift

Meaning and Usage

The verb "tamizar" refers to the process of sifting or filtering a substance through a sieve to separate finer elements from coarser ones or to eliminate unwanted particles. It is commonly used in culinary contexts as well as in technical settings where separation of materials is required. The term suggests an action meant to refine or clarify by removing impurities.

In Spanish, it is often used in both oral and written contexts, with frequent occurrences in culinary recipes, technical instructions, and scientific discourse. The frequency of use can be considered moderate; it is not a common word used in everyday conversation but is prevalent in specific contexts.

Example Sentences

1. "Es importante tamizar la harina antes de usarla en la repostería."
   "It is important to sieve the flour before using it in baking."

2. "Tienes que tamizar el agua del acuífero para asegurarte de que esté limpia."
   "You need to filter the water from the aquifer to ensure that it is clean."

Idiomatic Expressions

While "tamizar" is not commonly found in fixed idiomatic expressions, it relates to the idea of separation and filtering, which can be metaphorically used in phrases that imply discerning quality or making distinctions between elements. Here are a few creative examples to illustrate this metaphorical use:

1. "Hay que tamizar las ideas brillantes de las mediocres."
   "We need to sift through the brilliant ideas from the mediocre ones."

2. "En la vida, a veces hay que tamizar las amistades para quedar con las verdaderas."
   "In life, sometimes you have to filter friendships to keep the true ones."

3. "Tamizar las experiencias negativas es crucial para el crecimiento personal."
   "Filtering out negative experiences is crucial for personal growth."

Etymology

The word "tamizar" comes from the Spanish noun "tamiz," which means "sieve" or "strainer." The root of the word traces back to Arabic "ṭammāz," which also denotes sieving or filtering.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms - Filtrar (to filter) - Colar (to strain) - Sifón (to sieve)

Antonyms - Mezclar (to mix) - Combinar (to combine) - Unir (to unite)