chimenea

fireplace, chimney

noun chee-meh-NEH-ah Rare

Origin: From Greek kamineia, via Medieval Latin caminus.

Usage Note

Chimenea refers both to the indoor fireplace (the hearth and surround) and to the exterior chimney stack. Context clarifies: encender la chimenea means 'to light the fireplace', while el humo sale por la chimenea refers to the flue/stack. It can also describe a geological chimney (volcanic vent) or a climbing chimney in rock-face contexts.

Examples

"Nos sentamos junto a la chimenea encendida."

Natural Translation

We sat next to the lit fireplace.

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