celosa
“celosa” means “jealous” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
jealousAlso: envious, vigilant
📝 In Action
Mi hermana estaba celosa de mi nuevo coche.
A2My sister was jealous of my new car.
Se puso celosa cuando vio a su novio hablando con otra chica.
B1She got jealous when she saw her boyfriend talking to another girl.
La madre es muy celosa de la seguridad de sus hijos.
B2The mother is very protective of her children's safety.
Word Connections
jealous womanAlso: jealous person (female)
📝 In Action
Mi exnovia era una celosa terrible.
B1My ex-girlfriend was a terrible jealous person.
No la invites, es una celosa y arruinará la fiesta.
B2Don't invite her, she's a jealous person and will ruin the party.
Word Connections
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "celosa" in Spanish:
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: celosa
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'celosa' as a noun (naming a person)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
Comes from the Latin word *zelosus*, which itself comes from Greek *zēlos*, meaning 'zeal, fervent devotion, or envy.' This explains why 'celosa' can mean both 'jealous' (in the negative sense) and 'zealous' or 'protective' (in the positive sense).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'celosa' and 'envidiosa'?
'Celosa' (jealous) usually means you are worried about losing something you already have (like a partner's affection). 'Envidiosa' (envious) means you want something someone else has (like money or a job).
Can 'celosa' mean 'zealous' in modern Spanish?
Yes, but it's less common. When talking about being protective or highly dedicated, like 'una guardiana celosa' (a vigilant guardian), it carries the meaning of 'zealous' or 'vigilant' rather than emotional envy.