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golondrina

swallow

noun goh-lohn-DREE-nah Rare

Origin: From Latin hirundo via a form influenced by Vulgar Latin.

Usage Note

Golondrina is the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica), celebrated in Spanish poetry and song as a symbol of spring return and longing. The proverb una golondrina no hace verano ('one swallow doesn't make a summer') warns against drawing conclusions from a single instance. Not to be confused with vencejo (swift), which looks similar in flight.

Examples

"Una golondrina cruzó el cielo rápidamente."

Natural Translation

A swallow crossed the sky quickly.

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