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ceniza

the-NEE-sah/ or /se-NEE-sah/θeˈniθa/

“ceniza” means “ash” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

ash

Also: cinders, remains
NounfA2
General
A small pile of grey powdery ash sitting on a dark wooden surface.

📝 In Action

Limpié la ceniza de la chimenea.

A2

I cleaned the ash from the fireplace.

El volcán lanzó una gran nube de ceniza.

B1

The volcano threw out a large cloud of ash.

Sus cenizas fueron esparcidas en el mar.

B2

Their ashes were scattered in the sea.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • Miércoles de Ceniza – Ash Wednesday
  • bandeja de ceniza – ash tray (though 'cenicero' is the specific word)
  • cubierto de ceniza – covered in ash

Idioms & Expressions

  • resurgir de sus cenizas – to make a comeback or start over after a total failure
  • reducir a cenizas – to completely destroy something by fire

killjoy

Also: jinx, wet blanket
NounfC1informal
Spain
A person in a grey coat standing with arms crossed and a frowny face at a colorful birthday party.

📝 In Action

No seas tan ceniza, ¡va a ser una fiesta genial!

B2

Don't be such a killjoy, it's going to be a great party!

Él es un ceniza, siempre piensa que algo malo va a pasar.

C1

He's a jinx; he always thinks something bad is going to happen.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "ceniza" in Spanish:

ash→cinders→jinx→killjoy→remains→wet blanket→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: ceniza

Question 1 of 3

What is a 'cenicero' used for?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
cenicero(ashtray) — Noun
ceniciento(ashen or ash-colored) — Adjective
encenizar(to cover with ash) — Verb
Cenicienta(Cinderella) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
balizahachizapaliza
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'cinisia', which evolved from 'cinis', meaning 'ashes'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: cenereFrench: cendrePortuguese: cinza

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'ceniza' used for the ashes of a person?

Yes, but usually in the plural form: 'las cenizas'. For example, 'Las cenizas de mi abuelo' (My grandfather's ashes).

Does 'ceniza' ever change to 'cenizo'?

Yes. 'Cenizo' can be an adjective meaning 'ash-gray,' or in some regions, it is used instead of 'ceniza' to call a man a jinx.

How do you say 'ashtray'?

The most common word is 'cenicero', which literally means 'ash-container'.