hongo
“hongo” means “mushroom” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
mushroom
Also: fungus, mold
📝 In Action
Me encanta la pizza con hongos y queso.
A1I love pizza with mushrooms and cheese.
El doctor me recetó una crema para el hongo del pie.
B1The doctor prescribed a cream for the foot fungus.
No toques ese hongo en el bosque, podría ser venenoso.
A2Don't touch that mushroom in the forest, it could be poisonous.
bowler hat
Also: mushroom cloud
📝 In Action
El detective llevaba un sombrero de hongo muy elegante.
B2The detective wore a very elegant bowler hat.
Tras la explosión, se formó un hongo de humo en el horizonte.
C1After the explosion, a mushroom cloud of smoke formed on the horizon.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: hongo
Question 1 of 3
If you are ordering a pizza, what would 'hongos' most likely be?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'fungus'. The sound changed over centuries in Spanish to become 'hongo'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'hongo' the same as 'seta'?
Mostly, yes. 'Hongo' is the general scientific and common name for any fungus. 'Seta' is often used specifically for the umbrella-shaped wild mushrooms found in the woods, especially in Spain.
Is 'hongo' ever a verb?
No, 'hongo' is only a noun. To say something is getting moldy, you would use the verb 'enmohecerse'.
Can I use 'hongo' to mean mold on bread?
Yes, you can, although 'moho' is the more specific word for mold. 'Hongo' works because mold is a type of fungus.