Exploring apples, city blocks, and the trees they grow on.
In Spanish, a simple shift in ending from -a to -o can entirely change a word’s meaning. This week, we uncover the fascinating differences between manzana (feminine) and manzano (masculine)—a pair rooted in both fruit and foliage.
The Feminine 'Manzana': Apples and City Blocks
1. The Fruit: Apple
Manzana primarily refers to the well-known fruit, central to tales like Snow White (Blancanieves) or the story of Adam and Eve (Adán y Eva).
Examples:
- Solo compró dos manzanas.
She only bought two apples. - Una riquísima tarta de manzana.
A very tasty apple tart. - Me acuerdo de guardar las pepitas de la manzana.
I remember keeping the pips of the apple.
A manzana podrida (rotten apple) can refer to an actual spoiled fruit or, metaphorically, to a corrupt or harmful person:
- En el ministerio, solo había una manzana podrida.
At the ministry, there was only one bad apple.
2. The Block: A Unit of Urban Planning
In urban areas, manzana also means a block—a rectangular area of land enclosed by streets:
- Dan la vuelta a la manzana y regresan al bar.
They go around the block and then back to the bar. - El coche estaba aparcado a pocas manzanas de la estación.
The car was parked a few blocks from the station.
The Masculine 'Manzano': Apple Trees
When it comes to the trees that grow apples, manzano takes the stage. In Spanish, it’s common for a feminine fruit name ending in -a to transform into a masculine name ending in -o for the tree it grows on.
Examples:
- Ni los ciruelos ni los manzanos han dado este año buena cosecha.
Neither the plum trees nor the apple trees have produced a good crop this year.
Puzzle Time: Guess the Trees
Can you guess the names of the trees these fruits grow on?
- Una cereza (a cherry) → Un cerezo (a cherry tree)
- Una ciruela (a plum) → Un ciruelo (a plum tree)
- Una naranja (an orange) → Un naranjo (an orange tree)
- Una avellana (a hazelnut) → Un avellano (a hazelnut tree)
- Una almendra (an almond) → Un almendro (an almond tree)
- Una castaña (a chestnut) → Un castaño (a chestnut tree)
Fun Fact: La Gran Manzana
Did you know? La Gran Manzana (The Big Apple) is the Spanish nickname for New York City (Nueva York). Just like its English counterpart, the term symbolizes the city’s allure and opportunities.
Final Thought:
From apples to apple trees, manzana and manzano highlight the fascinating gender-based shifts in Spanish nouns. Come back next week as we explore another pair of words with equally intriguing distinctions!
