Category: Travel & PlacesPart of speech: nounDifficulty: Common

Mapa

/Mapa/Roman

English meaning: Map

Definition

A diagram representing an area of land.

Example

“Necesito un mapa de la ciudad.”

In English: “I need a map of the city.”

Another example: “Sin el mapa nos habríamos perdido por completo.”

Usage — When, Where & How

Everyday word for a map; despite ending in -a it is masculine ('el mapa'). Also used figuratively ('el mapa político'). Neutral register.

Etymology & Origin

English — Origin & History

The word 'mapa' originates from the Latin 'mappa', meaning 'napkin' or 'cloth', used to refer to a sheet detailing geographical layouts. Over time, it evolved to signify cartographic documents.

Common Collocations

  • mapa de carreteras
  • mapa del mundo
  • leer un mapa
  • mapa interactivo
  • mapa turístico

Word Forms

sing. mapa, pl. mapas (m.)

Word Tools

Literary Heritage

“El que lee mucho y anda mucho, ve mucho y sabe mucho.”

“He who reads much and walks much, sees much and knows much.”

Miguel de Cervantes · Author of Don Quixote · 1547–1616

Don Quixote

Don Quixote — the first modern novel; Cervantes merged adventure, philosophy, and humour

“Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche.”

“Tonight I can write the saddest lines.”

Pablo Neruda · Poet, Nobel Laureate (1971) · 1904–1973

Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair

Poem XX (1924) — the most famous opening line in Latin American poetry

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Spanish
Script
Latin
Family
Romance
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