Spanish word

armónica

Pronunciation

IPA/aɾˈmonika/

Meaning

  • feminine nounharmonica

Example

Ella toca la armónica en el parque.

She plays the harmonica in the park.

Illustration for armónica (harmonica)

More examples

Trae la armónica si quieres tocar con nosotros.

Bring the harmonica if you want to play with us.

Core concept

Compact mouth-blown instrument with metal reeds and a row of holes for melody.

Common phrases

  • pedir prestada la armónica

    borrow the harmonica

  • tener una armónica

    have a harmonica

  • llevar la armónica

    take along the harmonica

Similar words

instrumento: Broad category of tools used to make musical sounds or support music-making.
flauta: Tube-shaped wind instrument that changes pitch by blowing and opening or closing finger holes.

Definition in Spanish

Pequeño instrumento de lengüetas libres que permite tocar melodías simples mediante soplos y aspiraciones; portátil y frecuente en música folk y en actuaciones callejeras.

Word origin

Named via 19th-century European instrument names from Greek harmonia 'harmony', the word appears in Spanish as armónica.

Usage tips

  • The instrument is common in folk and street music, so conversational Spanish often includes questions like '¿Dónde aprendiste a tocar la armónica?' or '¿La tocas en algún grupo?'

Related words

Word lists with this word