Spanish word

percusión

Pronunciation

IPA/peɾkuˈsjon/

Meaning

  • feminine nounpercussion

Example

En el concierto escuché mucha percusión.

I heard a lot of percussion at the concert.

Illustration for percusión (percussion)

More examples

En la fiesta, la percusión animó a todos a bailar.

At the party, the percussion got everyone dancing.

Core concept

Family of instruments that make sound by being struck, shaken, or rubbed.

Common phrases

  • instrumentos de percusión

    percussion instruments

  • ritmos de percusión

    percussion rhythms

  • clase de percusión

    percussion class

Similar words

batería: Set of drums and cymbals arranged as a drum kit, played by one performer with sticks and pedals.
tambor: Single drum producing sound when struck by hands or sticks, often cylindrical.
ritmo: Pattern of beats or accents that repeats over time to organize musical pulse.
cajón: Box-shaped wooden instrument played by slapping or tapping its faces to make percussive tones.

Definition in Spanish

Conjunto de instrumentos musicales que producen sonido al golpearlos, agitarlos o frotarlos.

Word origin

From Latin percussio 'striking' (from the verb percutere 'to strike'), entering Spanish through medieval Romance and keeping the sense of instruments that sound by impact or agitation.

Usage tips

  • Spanish uses la percusión to name the percussion section, and naming batería, tambor, platillo, or maracas clarifies which specific instrument is meant.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word