Spanish Conversation · Level 64
76 words
Spanish word
masticar
Pronunciation
IPA/mastiˈkaɾ/
Meaning
- verbchew
Example
Por favor, no mastiques chicle en la biblioteca.
Please do not chew gum in the library.
More examples
En las comidas, conviene masticar despacio para facilitar la digestión.
At meals, it's advisable to chew slowly to aid digestion.
Core concept
Repeated crushing of food between teeth and jaw.
Common phrases
masticar chicle
chew gum
masticar despacio
chew slowly
Similar words
mascar: Chew gum or a soft item repeatedly in the mouth without swallowing.
comer: Consume food by putting it in the mouth, chewing, and swallowing.
tragar: Pass food or liquid from the mouth down the throat into the stomach.
morder: Bite something with the teeth to cut, clamp, or crush it.
Definition in Spanish
Cortar y triturar con los dientes y la mandíbula alimentos u otras sustancias para hacerlos más fáciles de tragar.
Word origin
From Latin masticāre, ultimately from a Greek root mastik-/mastax meaning 'to chew'.
Usage tips
- Also used figuratively to mean to ponder (masticar una idea), and the English cognate masticate exists but sounds formal.
Other meanings
- chew upverb
Opposites
- tragarswallowverb
Related words
- masticaciónchewingnoun
- masticablechewableadjective