Spanish Conversation · Level 27
90 words
Spanish word
canto
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈkanto/
Meaning
- masculine nounsong
Example
Escuché el canto del pájaro.
I heard the bird's song.
More examples
El canto de la iglesia llenó la plaza.
The church's singing filled the square.
Core concept
Melodic vocal sound.
Common phrases
canto de cuna
lullaby
canto popular
folk song
canto coral
choral song
Similar words
canción: Full-length sung composition, typically performed or recorded.
voz: Sound of a person's voice while singing.
melodía: Arrangement of notes that creates a recognizable tune.
tono: Characteristic pitch level of a voice or melody.
Definition in Spanish
Sonido melodioso producido por una voz humana o de un animal, o la pieza musical formada por esa melodía que puede cantarse.
Word origin
From Latin canere 'to sing', via the past participle cantus and Old Romance forms, Spanish canto denotes a voice-produced melody and by extension a short sung piece.
Usage tips
- In everyday Spanish canción is the usual word for a full recorded or pop song, while canto often names bird song, the act or sound of singing, or a brief poetic song.