coca

noun KOH-kah Rare

Origin: From Quechua kuka, the Andean shrub.

Also means

Coca-Cola (colloquial)

Usage Note

Coca refers primarily to the coca plant (Erythroxylum coca), native to the Andes and culturally significant in Bolivia and Peru, where chewing coca leaves is a traditional practice distinct from cocaine use. In casual Spain-Spanish speech it also serves as a shortening of Coca-Cola. Learners should be aware that coca in a formal context almost always means the plant or leaf, not the soft drink.

Examples

"Los mineros mascan hojas de coca para el cansancio."

Natural Translation

Miners chew coca leaves for fatigue.

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