Spanish Conversation · Level 186
15 words
Spanish word
huérfano
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈweɾfano/
Meaning
- masculine nounorphan
Example
El huérfano vive con su tía.
The orphan lives with his aunt.
More examples
En la ciudad hay muchos huérfanos que necesitan ayuda.
In the city there are many orphans who need help.
Core concept
Person lacking parents' custody and ordinary familial care.
Common phrases
ser huérfano
be an orphan
quedarse huérfano
become an orphan
Similar words
acogido: Person receiving temporary protection and day-to-day care in a host family or institution.
adoptado: Person made legally part of a family through formal adoption procedures.
orfanato: Residential institution that shelters and looks after orphaned children.
Definition in Spanish
Se usa para nombrar a quien ha quedado sin la tutela de sus padres y carece de atención familiar habitual.
Word origin
It ultimately derives from Greek ὀρφανός via Latin orphānus and has long meant a person deprived of parents or parental protection.
Usage tips
- 'Quedar huérfano' denotes becoming orphaned, 'ser huérfano' describes the state, and 'huérfano de' frequently carries a metaphorical sense of lacking something.
Related words
- orfandadorphanhoodnoun
- orfanatoorphanagenoun