la mona
female monkey · monkey
Definition & meaning
Mona has several meanings, depending on context:
- A female monkey. It is the feminine form of mono “,” meaning “monkey.”
- Cute, pretty, or charming (informal, especially in Spain). As a feminine adjective, it describes a woman, girl, animal, or thing. For example, ¡Qué mona! “” means “How cute!” or “How pretty!”
- A traditional Easter cake eaten in parts of Spain, particularly in eastern regions. It is often called mona de Pascua “.”
Grammar & Word origin
Mona is a feminine noun or the feminine singular form of the adjective mono “.” The masculine forms are mono “” as a noun and mono “” as an adjective. Its exact origin is uncertain; the word is commonly associated with the Spanish word for “monkey.”
Synonyms & antonyms
The best alternatives depend on the meaning:
- For “cute” or “pretty,” bonita “,” linda “[?](vocabuo://word/linda],” and encantadora “” are similar. Mona often sounds more informal and can suggest a sweet or charming appearance.
- Possible antonyms in the “pretty” sense include fea “” (“ugly”) and desagradable “” (“unpleasant”). These are not exact opposites in every context.
- When mona means a female monkey or an Easter cake, it has no direct antonym.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
En el zoológico vimos una mona jugando con sus crías.noun
At the zoo, we saw a female monkey playing with her babies.
La mona come una banana.noun
The monkey eats a banana.
La mona está en el árbol.noun
The monkey is in the tree.
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