guajira: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialist (music, cultural studies), Regional (Cuban Spanish)
Quick answer
What does “guajira” mean?
A woman or girl from the Cuban countryside, a Cuban peasant woman.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A woman or girl from the Cuban countryside, a Cuban peasant woman.
1. A traditional Cuban musical genre and dance style, often in 6/8 time. 2. By extension, can refer to things rustic or characteristic of the Cuban countryside.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference between BrE and AmE usage, as it is a Spanish loanword with specialized application.
Connotations
Exotic, Latin, traditional, folkloric.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to discussions of world music, Cuban culture, or specific musical pieces.
Grammar
How to Use “guajira” in a Sentence
The <noun> is a traditional guajira.The band played a lively <noun>.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “guajira” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No verb use in English]
American English
- [No verb use in English]
adverb
British English
- [No adverb use in English]
American English
- [No adverb use in English]
adjective
British English
- The ensemble had a distinct guajira feel.
- He preferred the guajira style of composition.
American English
- The festival featured a guajira rhythm workshop.
- Her research focuses on guajira traditions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in ethnomusicology or Latin American cultural studies to denote a genre.
Everyday
Rarely used; might be encountered in multicultural music discussions.
Technical
Used in musicology to describe a specific rhythmic/melodic structure.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “guajira”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “guajira”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “guajira”
- Mispronouncing it as 'gwa-JAI-ra' (correct primary stress is on the 'i' or 'ee').
- Using it as a general term for any Latin American music.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a Spanish loanword used in English, mainly in musical and cultural contexts.
In British English, /ɡwəˈhɪərə/. In American English, /ɡwɑːˈhiːrə/. The 'j' is pronounced like an English 'h'.
Guajira is a specific, older Cuban folk genre with a characteristic rhythm. Salsa is a later, broader commercial genre that incorporated elements from guajira and other styles.
In its original Spanish, yes (a Cuban country woman). In English, this meaning is very rarely used outside direct translations or specialized anthropological texts.
A woman or girl from the Cuban countryside, a Cuban peasant woman.
Guajira is usually specialist (music, cultural studies), regional (cuban spanish) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None specific in English; idiomatically tied to song titles like 'Guajira Guantanamera']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"Guajira" sounds like "war hero," but think of a Cuban "country hero-ine" singing a folk song.
Conceptual Metaphor
COUNTRY LIFE IS AUTHENTICITY (guajira music represents rustic, genuine cultural expression).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'guajira' most commonly referring to in English contexts?