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

Part of Speech

The word "témpano" is a noun in Spanish.

Phonetic Transcription

The phonetic transcription of "témpano" using the International Phonetic Alphabet is:
[ˈtem.pa.no]

Translation Options into English

The word "témpano" can be translated into English as: - "iceberg" - "ice floe" - "large piece of ice"

Meaning and Usage

In Spanish, "témpano" typically refers to a large mass of floating ice, like icebergs or large chunks of ice that can float in water bodies. It originates from a more geological and nautical context, used frequently in discussions related to geography, meteorology, or climate science.

• Frequency of Use: The term is less frequent in day-to-day conversation but is commonly encountered in specialized or scientific contexts such as marine biology, environmental studies, and meteorology.
• Oral vs. Written Context: It is more prevalent in written form (e.g., articles, scientific reports) than in everyday oral communication.

Example Sentences

1. "El témpano de hielo se desprendió del glaciar."
   "The iceberg broke off from the glacier."

2. "Navegamos cerca de un témpano que brillaba bajo el sol."
   "We sailed near an iceberg that shone under the sun."

3. "Los témpanos pueden resultar peligrosos para la navegación."
   "Icebergs can be dangerous for navigation."

Idiomatic Expressions

The word "témpano" is not strongly associated with idiomatic expressions in common conversational use, but it might appear in specific literary or metaphorical contexts. However, here are several instances where "témpano" could be used metaphorically, often reflecting situations that are cold or distant.

Example Sentences with Idiomatic Usage

1. "Su corazón es un témpano, nunca muestra emociones."
   "His heart is an iceberg, he never shows emotions."

2. "La relación entre ellos se enfrió como un témpano en el océano."
   "Their relationship cooled off like an iceberg in the ocean."

3. "Estaba tan callado que parecía un témpano en medio de la tormenta."
   "He was so quiet that he seemed like an iceberg in the middle of the storm."

Etymology

The term "témpano" derives from Latin "tamponis," which means a large block of ice or related to water bodies. The transition into modern Spanish usage has retained the essence of size and mass in reference to ice formations.

Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonyms:
• "block of ice" (bloque de hielo)

• "ice floe" (banquisa)

• Antonyms:

• "flame" (llama), as it represents the opposite of ice in terms of temperature.
• "heat" (calor).

Overall, "témpano" encapsulates both a literal and metaphorical essence reflecting the nature of ice in both physical and emotional contexts.