The Spanish word “cara” has a wide range of meanings, depending on the context in which it is used. It can be used to refer to a person’s face, their expression, or their character. It can also be used to describe something that is expensive or difficult.
Cara as a Noun
When used as a noun, “cara” most commonly refers to a person’s face. It can also be used to refer to the front or surface of something, such as the face of a coin or the face of a building.
Examples:
- La cara de MarÃa es muy bonita. (Maria’s face is very pretty.)
- La cara de la moneda tiene el águila. (The face of the coin has the eagle.)
- La cara del edificio está cubierta de hiedra. (The face of the building is covered in ivy.)
Cara as an Adjective
When used as an adjective, “cara” means expensive or difficult. It can also be used to describe something that is unpleasant or dangerous.
Examples:
- El coche es muy caro. (The car is very expensive.)
- El examen fue muy difÃcil. (The exam was very difficult.)
- El camino es muy peligroso. (The road is very dangerous.)
Cara as an Adverb
When used as an adverb, “cara” means “face to face.” It can also be used to describe something that is done directly or openly.
Examples:
- Hablaron cara a cara. (They spoke face to face.)
- Lo hizo cara a cara. (He did it openly.)
Cara in Idioms
“Cara” is also used in a number of idioms. Some of the most common idioms include:
- Poner buena cara: To put on a happy face
- Poner mala cara: To put on a sad face
- Dar la cara: To face up to something
- Lavarse la cara: To wash one’s face
- Hacer una mueca: To make a face
Cara in Other Languages
The word “cara” is derived from the Latin word “cara,” which also means “face.” The word “cara” is used in many other languages, including Italian, Portuguese, and French.
Conclusion
The Spanish word “cara” is a versatile word with a wide range of meanings. It can be used as a noun, an adjective, an adverb, or in an idiom. The meaning of “cara” depends on the context in which it is used.
