Spanish-speaking
|span-ish-speak-ing|
/ˈspænɪʃˌspiːkɪŋ/
speaks Spanish
Etymology
'Spanish-speaking' originates from a compound of English 'Spanish' and the present participle 'speaking'. 'Spanish' derives ultimately from Latin 'Hispania' (via Old French 'Espagne'), where the place name referred to the Roman name for the Iberian Peninsula; 'speaking' comes from Old English 'sprecan' (Proto-Germanic *sprekaną) meaning 'to speak'.
'Spanish' came into English via Old French 'Espagne' from Latin 'Hispania'; 'speak' comes from Old English 'sprecan' which developed into Middle English 'spreken' and modern English 'speak', with the present participle formation '-ing' producing 'speaking'. The compound 'Spanish-speaking' is a modern English compound formed by combining the adjective/noun 'Spanish' with the present participle 'speaking'.
Individually, 'Spanish' originally named people or things from Hispania and 'speak/speaking' meant 'utter words'; together as 'Spanish-speaking' the compound developed the specific meaning 'using or able to use the Spanish language', which is its current usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person or group that speaks Spanish (used collectively as 'the Spanish-speaking' to refer to Spanish-speaking people).
The Spanish-speaking in the city organized a cultural festival.
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Adjective 1
able to speak Spanish or described as using Spanish (often used before a noun, e.g. Spanish-speaking countries).
She works in a Spanish-speaking community.
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Last updated: 2025/10/31 11:52