Inklingo

How to Say "glossary" in Spanish

English → Spanish

diccionario

/deek-syoh-nah-ryoh//diksjoˈnaɾjo/

nounA1general
Use 'diccionario' when you need a general list of specific terms, like a specialized dictionary for a subject or a language learning tool.
A thick, open book filled with many columns of small printed entries and a colorful cover.

Examples

Necesito un diccionario para mi clase de español.

I need a glossary for my Spanish class.

Si no conoces la palabra, búscala en el diccionario.

If you don't know the word, look it up in the dictionary.

Existen diccionarios especializados en términos médicos.

There are specialized dictionaries for medical terms.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in '-o', which is a common masculine ending, remember to always use 'el' or 'un'. There is no feminine version like 'diccionaria'.

The 'cc' sound

When you see 'cc', the first 'c' sounds like a 'k' and the second one sounds like an 's' (in Latin America) or 'th' (in Spain). Think of it like the word 'action' in English.

Spelling slip-up

Mistake:dicionario

Correction: diccionario (with two 'c's, just like in English).

vocabulario

/bo-ka-bu-la-ryo//bo.ka.βu.ˈla.ɾjo/

nounA2general
Use 'vocabulario' specifically for a list of words and their meanings found at the end of a book, article, or other text.
A small stack of books with the top book open to a page showing a neat list of colorful icons next to their descriptions.

Examples

Al final del libro hay un vocabulario con las palabras difíciles.

At the end of the book, there is a glossary with the difficult words.

Copia el vocabulario de la lección en tu libreta.

Copy the word list from the lesson into your notebook.

Consulté el vocabulario bilingüe para entender el contrato.

I consulted the bilingual glossary to understand the contract.

Using 'de'

When referring to a list belonging to something, use 'de'. For example: 'el vocabulario de la unidad' (the unit's word list).

Diccionario vs. Vocabulario

The most common mistake is using 'diccionario' when 'vocabulario' is more appropriate. Remember, 'vocabulario' is typically for a list of terms *within* a larger work, like a textbook. 'Diccionario' is a more standalone list of terms.

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