Spanish word

nana

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈnana/

Meaning

  • feminine nounlullaby

Example

Esa nana calma al bebé.

That lullaby calms the baby.

Illustration for nana (lullaby)

More examples

Anoche le canté una nana hasta que se durmió.

Last night I sang a lullaby until they fell asleep.

Core concept

Soft rocking melody that soothes a baby.

Common phrases

  • cantar una nana

    sing a lullaby

  • poner una nana

    put on a lullaby

  • una nana suave

    a gentle lullaby

Similar words

canción de cuna: Traditional slow bedtime song with a clear tune sung to settle a child.
arrullo: Soft, low-pitched murmuring or hush-like sound used to soothe a baby.
nanita: Tiny, endearing short lullaby often sung playfully to comfort a baby.

Definition in Spanish

Melodía suave y monótona, típicamente cantada para sosegar a un bebé hasta que se duerma.

Word origin

Derived from infantile reduplication (nana, ninna), originally a baby-language form for soothing songs.

Usage tips

  • Spanish speakers use poner una nana or cantar una nana to mean play or sing a lullaby, and English 'nana' commonly means grandmother so context determines the meaning.

Opposites

Word lists with this word