Spanish Conversation · Level 40
75 words
Spanish word
puya
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈpuʝa/
Meaning
- feminine nounthorn
Example
El cactus del patio tiene muchas puyas.
The cactus in the yard has many thorns.
More examples
En la clase, el profesor soltó una puya sobre la presentación.
In class, the teacher made a snide remark about the presentation.
Core concept
Small sharp thorn piercing skin.
Common phrases
soltar una puya
make a snide remark
recibir una puya
receive a snide remark
puyas de cactus
cactus thorns
Similar words
pulla: Offers a short, cutting remark that carries sarcasm and can lightly provoke or tease.
ironía: Frames criticism in ironic terms so the intended meaning is implied rather than stated.
ofensa: Produces emotional harm by saying things meant to upset, shame, or humiliate another.
mofa: Derides someone through mimicking or jeering that encourages others to laugh at them.
Definition in Spanish
Comentario corto y mordaz que hiere o molesta; también punta física o púa para tocar cuerdas.
Word origin
From Latin pungere 'to prick', the word named a sharp point and later extended in Spanish to both a physical thorn or pick and a short stinging remark.
Usage tips
- In conversation puya frequently means a quick barbed comment and appears in phrases like 'soltar una puya', where tone and the relationship between speakers decide whether it is playful or hostile.
Other meanings
- snide remarknoun
- spikenoun
Opposites
- elogiopraisenoun
- cumplidocomplimentnoun
Related words
- puyarprickverb