Spanish Conversation · Level 135
45 words
Spanish word
cántara
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈkantaɾa/
Meaning
- feminine nounjar
Example
La cántara se cayó y se rompió.
The jar fell and broke.
More examples
Encontré una cántara antigua en el mercado.
I found an old jar at the market.
Core concept
Old-fashioned large clay jar used for water, oil, or grain storage.
Similar words
jarra: Container with a handle and spout for serving and pouring beverages.
vasija: General-purpose ceramic or clay container with a hollow interior.
cántaro: Outdoor water jar made of clay, used for carrying or drawing water.
tinaja: Heavy clay jar with thick walls for long-term liquid storage.
Definition in Spanish
Recipiente de cerámica, de tamaño grande y cuerpo abultado, usado tradicionalmente para guardar líquidos o granos.
Word origin
The word descends from medieval Latin cantharus, which itself comes from Greek kantharos and early Mediterranean vessel names.
Usage tips
- In contemporary speech cántara is somewhat literary or regional, with tinaja or vasija more common in everyday Spanish, so expect cántara mainly in literary, historical, or idiomatic contexts.