Are Spanish words more often limited to 1 definition than English words?

Answer 1

I feel like this is the opposite. There are many Spanish words that have more than one English translation.

Some simple examples... "deber" could mean to own or should, depending on it's use. "Tener" could mean to have, to hold, or to feel. "Querer" could mean to love or to want.

There are differences like "ser" and "estar" both mean to be in English, but they are distinctly different in that "estar" is usually something temporary or changeable...like I am sitting, and "ser" is something you are for a long time or that is difficult to change, like I am a doctor.

Answer 2

This is the way we see it in Mexico: the words in Spanish are more "specialized", thus we have more words, and less meanings per word. A "tile" can be both an "azulejo" (on the wall) or a "loseta" (on the floor), but in spanish those words have only one meaning each. In addition to that, we use more articles and prepositions, so if you translate an english text into spanish it will "grow" approximately 30%.

Answer 3

I would say it is the other way around. In Spanish you can have 10 different definitions for one word. It will all be depending on the context.

Take a look at this question recently asked. It will give you an idea of what I mean. (Six different meanings to one simple word).

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AmFZfUcE1mL6Y5n2YC.gXTfw7BR.?qid=20070405093550AAocVLP

Answer 4

Yes

Answer 5

Nope.

Chupar.
To suck. To get drunk.
Tomar.
To Take.
To Drink.
Llevar.
To bring.
To wear.
Hacer.
To do.
To make.
.....aaah it goes on....but those are just verbs.
That's more like more definintions in English though.
interesting question. you should've given an example.....

Answer 6

Yes, it´s usually limited for just one definition, but we have synonyms, we call them sinonimos...