hondo

deep

adjective OHN-doh Rare

Origin: from Latin fundus, 'bottom'

Also means

profound

Usage Note

Hondo is a literary or poetic synonym of profundo ('deep'). It appears in cante hondo (or cante jondo), the deepest, most expressive form of flamenco song. The noun lo hondo ('the depths') and the phrase en lo más hondo ('in the deepest part') are common in poetry and prose. In everyday speech profundo is preferred; hondo lends a more archaic or emotional register.

Examples

"Sintió una pena honda que no supo explicar."

Natural Translation

She felt a deep sorrow she could not explain.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

How to Roll Your Rs in Spanish (Even If You Can't Yet)

Roll your Rs in Spanish by building from the butter sound you already make, then adding airflow. A step-by-step method, minimal pairs, and self-check drills.

June 3, 2026 7 min read

SpanishNow

Preterite vs. Imperfect: Spanish Past Tense Made Easy

Preterite vs. imperfect: use the preterite for finished events, the imperfect for ongoing scenery. A trigger-word cheat sheet, flowchart, and examples.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Por vs Para in Spanish: One Mental Model, No Acronyms

Por looks backward at cause and path; para looks forward at goal and destination. Master por vs para in Spanish with one mental model — no acronyms needed.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Diminutives: What -ito and -ita Really Mean

Spanish diminutives rarely mean 'little.' Learn what -ito and -ita really signal — warmth, softening, downplaying — plus the -cito and -ecito formation rules.

June 9, 2026 6 min read