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semillas

seh-MEE-yahs/seˈmiʎas/

“semillas” means “seeds” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

seeds

Also: kernels
NounfA1
A close-up view of a small mound of various brown and white seeds nestled on dark brown soil.

📝 In Action

Compré semillas de chía para añadir a mi yogur.

A1

I bought chia seeds to add to my yogurt.

Necesitas plantar las semillas en la tierra fértil.

A2

You need to plant the seeds in fertile soil.

Mi pájaro solo come semillas de girasol.

B1

My bird only eats sunflower seeds.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • pepitas (small seeds (often pumpkin or squash))
  • granos (grains, kernels)

Common Collocations

  • semillas de sésamo – sesame seeds
  • bolsa de semillas – bag of seeds

source, inception

Also: germ
NounfB2
A close-up illustration of a single seed that has just cracked open, revealing a bright green seedling emerging from the soil.

📝 In Action

Las protestas de 2019 fueron las semillas del cambio político actual.

B2

The 2019 protests were the seeds of the current political change.

Sembraron las semillas de la duda en el jurado.

C1

They sowed the seeds of doubt in the jury.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • sembrar semillas – to sow seeds (figuratively)
  • semillas de la discordia – seeds of discord/conflict

Idioms & Expressions

  • sembrar la semilla – to start or initiate something (often trouble or an idea)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "semillas" in Spanish:

germ→inception→kernels→seeds→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: semillas

Question 1 of 2

¿Cuál es la traducción más común y literal de 'semillas'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
semilla(seed (singular)) — Noun
sembrar(to sow, to plant) — Verb
semillero(seedbed, nursery) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
rodillassencillas
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes directly from the Latin word *sēmen* (meaning 'seed') and specifically from its plural form, *sēmina*. This root is shared by many words related to planting and growth.

First recorded: Around the 13th century in Spanish.

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: semilhasItalian: semenza

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Frequently Asked Questions

¿Por qué 'semillas' es un sustantivo femenino?

Like its Latin root, 'semilla' (the singular form) is feminine. This means that even in the plural, we must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'las semillas', 'semillas pequeñas').

¿Cuál es el verbo relacionado con 'semillas'?

The most closely related verb is 'sembrar,' which means 'to sow' or 'to plant' the seeds.