"Zanahoria" is a noun in Spanish.
/zanaˈoɾja/
"Zanahoria" refers to the edible root of the plant Daucus carota, commonly known as carrot in English. The term is frequently used in both oral and written contexts in Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in culinary discussions, health-related contexts, and gardening.
The term "zanahoria" is commonly used, especially in culinary contexts. In Argentina, it is a staple vegetable often mentioned in recipes and discussions related to nutrition.
Las zanahorias son ricas en vitamina A.
Carrots are rich in vitamin A.
Corté zanahorias para la ensalada.
I chopped carrots for the salad.
Me gusta comer zanahorias crudas como snack.
I like to eat raw carrots as a snack.
While "zanahoria" does not have widely known idiomatic expressions, it is often used in metaphorical contexts, particularly in Argentine Spanish. Below are some expressions related to carrots:
Llevar la zanahoria delante de los burros.
To lead the donkey with a carrot. (Meaning: Using incentives to motivate someone toward a goal.)
No todo lo que brilla es zanahoria.
Not everything that shines is a carrot. (Meaning: All that glitters is not gold; things are not always what they seem.)
Más vale una zanahoria que diez promesas.
A carrot is worth more than ten promises. (Meaning: It's better to have something tangible rather than multiple promises.)
Dame la zanahoria y verás cómo me muevo.
Give me the carrot and you’ll see how I move. (Meaning: Show me the incentive and I will put in the effort.)
The word "zanahoria" originates from the Arabic "سَناهِورَة" (sanāhūra), which is believed to have derived from the Persian "خُرَنگ" (khorang). The term was eventually adopted into Spanish during the Middle Ages when many Arabic agricultural terms influenced the Spanish language.
Synonyms: - Raíz de zanahoria (Carrot root) - Verdura (Vegetable)
Antonyms: - Fruta (Fruit) - Hierba (Herb)
In summary, "zanahoria" is a commonly used noun in Spanish that refers to carrots, commonly occurs in dietary discussions, and holds metaphorical meanings in certain idiomatic expressions.