cama
A1 (Extremely High Frequency)Neutral - used across all registers from informal to formal
Definition
Meaning
a piece of furniture for sleeping or resting on, typically consisting of a framework with a mattress and bedding
any place where people or animals sleep or lie down; metaphorically, the foundation or base of something
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers specifically to the furniture item; distinguished from 'bed' in that 'cama' is the Spanish term (this entry is for Spanish word 'cama')
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
This is a Spanish word; in English contexts, it appears only in loan phrases, specific cultural references, or when discussing Spanish language/culture. No direct UK/US variation.
Connotations
In English contexts, retains Spanish cultural connotations; may evoke images of siesta culture, Mediterranean lifestyle, or Hispanic domestic settings.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general English discourse except in specific contexts like Spanish language learning, travel writing about Spanish-speaking countries, or literary works with Spanish settings.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verbo] + la cama (hacer, tender, deshacer)[adjetivo] + cama (matrimonial, individual, supletoria)[preposición] + cama (en la cama, de la cama, sobre la cama)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “guardar cama (to stay in bed due to illness)”
- “hacer la cama a alguien (to set someone up/to betray)”
- “no ser cama de rosas (to not be easy or pleasant)”
- “de la cama a la mesa (from bed to table - very short distance)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare except in hospitality industry (hotel beds) or furniture manufacturing
Academic
Appears in anthropological, sociological, or historical studies of domestic life, sleep studies, or Spanish language/culture courses
Everyday
Common in Spanish-speaking households and travel contexts
Technical
Used in furniture design, ergonomics, medical equipment (hospital beds), and hospitality management
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The Spanish hotel advertised 'cama king size' in all rooms.
- In the novel, the protagonist's cama became her refuge during illness.
American English
- The Airbnb listing specified 'cama cómoda' as a feature.
- Mexican households often have the cama as the most important furniture purchase.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- La cama es grande.
- Mi cama es cómoda.
- Hay una cama en la habitación.
- Después de trabajar todo el día, solo quería llegar a mi cama.
- La cama matrimonial no cabía por la puerta del dormitorio.
- ¿Has hecho ya la cama esta mañana?
- El médico le recomendó guardar cama durante una semana completa.
- La cama de hierro forjado era una antigüedad familiar muy valorada.
- Encontraron documentos importantes escondidos bajo el colchón de la cama.
- La evolución de la cama a lo largo de la historia refleja cambios profundos en las costumbres sociales y la intimidad doméstica.
- La cama hospitalaria ajustable representó un avance significativo en el cuidado de pacientes encamados.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CAMA sounds like 'comma' - imagine a comma-shaped person sleeping in a bed
Conceptual Metaphor
BED IS A CONTAINER (for sleep, illness, intimacy); BED IS A FOUNDATION (for health, daily life); BED IS A BATTLEFIELD (in idioms about conflict or difficulty)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend with Russian 'камера' (camera, cell) -完全不同
- Not related to English 'camera'
- Gender is feminine (la cama) unlike some similar Russian furniture words
Common Mistakes
- Using masculine article 'el' instead of 'la'
- Confusing with 'cámara' (camera/chamber)
- Misspelling as 'camma' or 'kama'
- Overusing in English contexts where 'bed' is appropriate
Practice
Quiz
¿Qué significa la expresión 'hacer la cama a alguien' en contextos figurados?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Femenino: se dice 'la cama', 'una cama cómoda'.
'Cama' es el término común y cotidiano. 'Lecho' es más literario, formal o poético, y también puede referirse al fondo de un río (lecho fluvial) o a una capa de algo (lecho de hojas).
Dormitorio o habitación. Ejemplo: 'El dormitorio tiene una cama grande.'
No existe el verbo 'camar'. Los verbos relacionados son 'acostarse' (to go to bed), 'acostar' (to put to bed), y las frases como 'hacer la cama' (to make the bed).