cognate

[/ˈkɒɡneɪt/]
adjective/nounpl: cognates
cognato
1. (adjective) Related by blood; having a common ancestor or origin
English and German are cognate languages.
Inglês e alemão são línguas cognatas.
2. (adjective) Linguistics: Words in different languages that evolved from the same etymological root
The English word 'father' and the German word 'Vater' are cognate words.
A palavra inglesa 'father' e a palavra alemã 'Vater' são palavras cognatas.
3. (noun) A cognate word; a relative
Spanish 'libro' is a cognate of English 'library'.
O espanhol 'libro' é um cognato do inglês 'library'.
The term 'cognate' is primarily used in academic and linguistic contexts in both English-speaking and Portuguese-speaking countries. It is essential for language learners and linguists to understand cognates, as they represent words that share etymological origins across different languages (such as English 'house' and German 'Haus'). This concept helps language learners recognize vocabulary patterns and understand the historical relationships between languages.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
relatedakinkindredconnected
Antonyms / Antônimos
unrelatedunconnectedforeign

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
cognato
Standard term used in linguistic studies and comparative language analysis
Portugal
cognato
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; commonly used in academic linguistics
Academic/Linguistic Contexts
palavra cognata
When referring specifically to cognate words in linguistic discussions

Related Words

etymologylinguisticcognitionkinshiphomologous

Related Idioms & Phrases

cognate languages
cognate words
cognate object (grammar term)
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