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semilla

seh-MEE-yah/seˈmiʝa/

seed

Also: pit, grain
NounfA1
A small brown seed resting in rich dark soil with a tiny green sprout beginning to emerge.

📝 In Action

Necesitas plantar la semilla en tierra húmeda.

A1

You need to plant the seed in moist soil.

Esta sandía no tiene semillas.

A1

This watermelon doesn't have seeds.

Las semillas de chía son muy saludables.

A2

Chia seeds are very healthy.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • pepita (pip/small seed)
  • simiente (seed (more formal))

Antonyms

  • fruto (fruit)

Common Collocations

  • semilla de girasol – sunflower seed
  • plantar una semilla – to plant a seed

seed

Also: source
NounfB2
A small glowing golden seed held in a pair of cupped hands, radiating a soft light.

📝 In Action

Ese libro fue la semilla de su curiosidad por la ciencia.

B2

That book was the seed of her curiosity for science.

Sembraron la semilla de la discordia entre los amigos.

C1

They sowed the seed of discord among the friends.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • origen (origin)
  • germen (germ/source)

Idioms & Expressions

  • sembrar la semilla de la duda – to make someone start questioning something

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "semilla" in Spanish:

grain→pit→seed→source→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: semilla

Question 1 of 2

Which word would you use for the large pit in the middle of an avocado?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
sembrar(to sow/plant) — Verb
semillero(seedbed/hotbed) — Noun
semental(stallion/stud) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'semilia', which comes from 'semen', meaning 'seed' or 'something sown'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: semenFrench: semence

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'semilla' the same as 'pepita'?

Not exactly. 'Semilla' is the general word for any seed. 'Pepita' usually refers to small seeds inside fruits (like apples) or specific edible seeds like pumpkin seeds.

Can 'semilla' be used for humans?

Only in a very poetic or biological sense (referring to offspring or lineage), but it is not common in everyday conversation.