Spanish Conversation · Level 142
45 words
Spanish word
mascar
Pronunciation
IPA/masˈkaɾ/
Meaning
- verbchew
Example
Por favor, no masques chicle aquí.
Please don't chew gum here.
More examples
Antes de mascar, corta la comida en trozos pequeños.
Before you chew, cut the food into small pieces.
Core concept
Repeated jaw movements breaking down soft food or gum between the teeth.
Common phrases
mascar chicle
chew gum
mascar comida
chew food
Similar words
masticar: Chews with the jaw and teeth to grind gum or food into smaller pieces for swallowing.
comer: Eats by chewing and then swallowing food as part of a meal or regular intake.
morder: Bites once or briefly with the teeth to cut, tear, or remove a piece from something.
Definition in Spanish
Realizar movimientos de la mandíbula para reducir el tamaño de lo que se come; suele aplicarse a chicle y alimentos blandos.
Word origin
From Latin masticare 'to chew', ultimately from Greek mastíkhē 'mastic' (a resin chewed for flavor) and related to English masticate.
Usage tips
- Mascar denotes the ongoing action of chewing (especially gum or soft food) and contrasts with morder, which means to bite once.