It’s estimated that around 75% of Spanish words have their roots in Latin (source). Some of these words are still very close to their Latin roots, for example Spanish luna (“moon”) is identical to the Latin word luna. Others have undergone sound changes in the centuries since Latin was spoken, sometimes changing significantly, for example from Latin caput to Spanish cabeza (“head”).
Below is a list of just a few common Spanish words that come from Latin, along with the corresponding Latin word and example sentences for each. Remember that there are thousands more Spanish words that come from Latin, and this is just a tiny selection!
1. Amigo/a – Friend
From Latin amicus (friend)
Example: Siempre puedo contar con mis amigos en los momentos difíciles. – I can always count on my friends in difficult times.
2. Agua – Water
From Latin aqua (water)
Example: El agua es esencial para la vida. – Water is essential for life.
3. Luna – Moon
From Latin luna (moon)
Example: La luna llena iluminó todo el cielo. – The full moon lit up the entire sky.
4. Fuego – Fire
From Latin focus (hearth, fireplace)
Example: El fuego del campamento nos mantuvo calientes toda la noche. – The campfire kept us warm all night.
5. Casa – House
From Latin choza (hut)
Example: ¡Bienvenidos a mi casa! – Welcome to my house!
6. Mano – Hand
From Latin manus (hand)
Example: Me tomó de la mano mientras caminábamos por el parque. – He took my hand as we walked through the park.
7. Padre – Father
From Latin pater (father)
Example: Mi padre me enseñó a ser responsable. – My father taught me to be responsible.
8. Madre – Mother
From Latin mater (mother)
Example: Mi madre cocina la mejor paella del mundo. – My mother cooks the best paella in the world.
9. Hijo/a – Son/Daughter
From Latin filius (son) and filia (daughter).
Example: Mi hijo acaba de empezar la universidad. – My son just started college/university.
10. Cuerpo – Body
From Latin corpus (body)
Example: El cuerpo humano es una máquina perfecta. – The human body is a perfect machine.
11. Cielo – Sky
From Latin caelum (heaven, sky)
Example: Vi un OVNI en el cielo… o quizás era un avión. – I saw a UFO in the sky… or maybe it was a plane.
12. Luz – Light
From Latin lux (light).
Example: Abre las cortinas para dejar entrar la luz. – Open the curtains to let the light in.
13. Llama – Flame
From Latin flamma (flame).
Example: La llama de la vela parpadeaba con el viento. – The flame of the candle flickered in the wind.
14. Tiempo – Time
From Latin tempus (time)
Example: El tiempo pasa más rápido de lo que pensamos. – Time passes faster than we think.
15. Cabeza – Head
From Latin caput (head)
Example: Me duele la cabeza, necesito descansar. – I have a headache; I need to rest.
16. Tierra – Earth/Land
From Latin terra (earth, land).
Example: La Tierra es el único planeta que conocemos con vida. – Earth is the only planet we know with life.
17. Nombre – Name
From Latin nomen (name)
Example: ¿Cuál es tu nombre completo? – What’s your full name?
18. Oreja – Ear
From Latin auricŭla (ear)
Example: Me duele la oreja por el ruido. – My ear hurts from the noise.
19. Corazón – Heart
From Latin cor (heart)
Example: Mi corazón late más rápido cuando te veo. – My heart beats faster when I see you.
20. Pueblo – Town/Village or People
From Latin populus (inhabitants, people, nation)
Example: Volví a mi pueblo natal por primera vez en años en diciembre. – I returned to my hometown for the first time in years in December.
21. Noche – Night
From Latin nox/noctis (night).
Example: La noche estaba tranquila y llena de estrellas. – The night was calm and full of stars.
22. Vida – Life
From Latin vita (life)
Example: La vida es corta. – Life is short.
23. Mar – Sea
From Latin mare (sea)
Example: El sonido del mar me relaja. – The sound of the sea relaxes me.
24. Flor – Flower
From Latin flos/floris (flower)
Example: Le regaló una flor amarilla como símbolo de amistad. – He gave her a yellow flower as a symbol of friendship.
