Adjective
/tuˈpi.ðo/
"Tupido" is primarily used to describe something that is thick, dense, or closely packed. In physical contexts, it can refer to materials such as fabrics or vegetation that are compact. In a metaphorical sense, it can describe concepts or abstract ideas that possess a level of complexity or intricacy.
The frequency of the word's use is generally moderate; it appears in both spoken and written Spanish, but it is more commonly found in written contexts, especially in literature, descriptions, or formal language.
El bosque era tan tupido que apenas se podía ver el sol.
(The forest was so thick that one could barely see the sun.)
Llevaba una bufanda tupida para protegerse del frío.
(She wore a thick scarf to protect herself from the cold.)
El cabello de su hermana es muy tupido y rizado.
(Her sister's hair is very thick and curly.)
"Tupido" is not particularly common in idiomatic expressions, but it can be part of some phrases that convey ideas of complexity or intensity.
A veces, la verdad es tan tupida como la niebla de la mañana.
(Sometimes, the truth is as thick as the morning fog.)
El debate estuvo tupido de argumentos contradictorios.
(The debate was thick with contradictory arguments.)
La trama de la novela era tan tupida que no podía dejar de leer.
(The plot of the novel was so dense that I couldn't stop reading.)
El aire en la habitación se volvió tupido con el humo del cigarrillo.
(The air in the room became thick with cigarette smoke.)
The word "tupido" comes from the Latin word "tupidus", which has a similar meaning of being dense or thick. Its usage dates back several centuries and has evolved into the Spanish language.
In summary, "tupido" is a versatile adjective used to describe density and thickness in various contexts, offering rich imagery and meaning in both literal and figurative language.