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anécdota

ah-NEHK-doh-tah/aˈnegdota/

“anécdota” means “anecdote” in Spanish (a short, interesting story about a real incident).

anecdote

Also: story, tale
NounfA2
A person gesturing animatedly while telling an engaging story to two friends sitting on a park bench.

📝 In Action

Mi abuelo siempre cuenta una anécdota de cuando era joven.

A1

My grandfather always tells an anecdote from when he was young.

Tengo una anécdota muy graciosa que ocurrió ayer en el trabajo.

A2

I have a very funny story that happened yesterday at work.

Lo que empezó como un problema serio terminó siendo solo una anécdota.

B1

What started as a serious problem ended up being just a funny story.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • historia oficial (official history)

Common Collocations

  • contar una anécdota – to tell an anecdote
  • anécdota curiosa – curious anecdote
  • anécdota divertida – funny anecdote

Idioms & Expressions

  • quedar en una anécdota – To end up being a minor, insignificative event that is only remembered as a story.

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "anécdota" in Spanish:

anecdote→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: anécdota

Question 1 of 3

Which of these describes an 'anécdota'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
anecdótico(anecdotal) — Adjective
anecdotario(collection of anecdotes) — Noun
anecdotista(anecdote teller) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Greek word 'anekdota', which literally meant 'things not published' or 'secret things'. It originally referred to private details of a person's life.

First recorded: 18th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: anecdoteItalian: aneddoto

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'anécdota' always have to be funny?

Not necessarily, though they often are. An 'anécdota' can also be curious, strange, or even slightly sad, as long as it is a short account of a real event.

Is it a 'false friend' to the English word?

No! It is a true cognate. 'Anécdota' in Spanish and 'anecdote' in English share the same meaning and origin.

How do I say 'to tell a story' using this word?

You should use the verb 'contar'. For example: 'Quiero contarte una anécdota' (I want to tell you an anecdote).