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algarabía

uproar, hubbub

noun ahl-gah-rah-BEE-ah Rare
Communication Speech

Origin: From Arabic al-arabiyya, 'the Arabic language', suggesting unintelligible speech to non-Arabic ears.

Also means

gibberish

Usage Note

Algarabía originally meant the Arabic language as heard by Spanish speakers — a rapid, incomprehensible tongue — and evolved to mean any noisy clamor or confused shouting. It can also refer to lenguaje algarabía, meaningless chatter. The word vividly illustrates how medieval linguistic contact shaped Spanish vocabulary.

Examples

"Se armó una algarabía en el patio."

Natural Translation

An uproar broke out in the courtyard.

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