"skirt" in seven languages
Meaningskirt
Spanish
/ˈfalda/
fem.other source · Frankish *falda 'fold'
Also the lower slope of a mountain. In parts of Latin America: pollera.
French
/ʒyp/
fem.other source · Arabic jubba 'long garment', via Italian/Sicilian
Italian
/ˈgonna/
fem.inherited
Portuguese
/ˈsajɐ/
fem.other source · Latin *SAGIAM, from SAGUM 'cloak'
Romanian
/ˈfustə/
fem.other source · of uncertain origin, probably via Modern Greek foústa
plural: fuste
Catalan
/fəlˈdiʎə/
fem.other source · Germanic *falda 'fold'
English
/skɝt/
other source · Old Norse skyrta
The Latin ancestor
GUNNAM‘fur or leather garment (Late Latin, probably Celtic)’
All six sisters descend from it, unless marked otherwise below.
The story
Three origins in one wardrobe: Spanish Germanic 'fold' (its f- never became h- because it came late), French Arabic 'long robe', Italian Late Latin — the same word as English gown.
English relatives: gown
Learn it
In a sentence
- esSe ha comprado una falda roja.
- frElle s'est acheté une jupe rouge.
- itSi è comprata una gonna rossa.
- ptEla comprou uma saia vermelha.
- roȘi-a cumpărat o fustă roșie.
- caS'ha comprat una faldilla vermella.
- enShe bought a red skirt.