grifo

tap

noun GREE-foh Rare

Origin: From Greek grýps (griffin), because medieval taps were shaped like griffin heads.

Also means

faucet

Usage Note

Grifo is the standard term for a water tap in Spain, while Latin America mostly uses llave (Mexico, Central America) or canilla (Argentina, Uruguay). In Spain, grifo also informally refers to a petrol station (gasolinera). The mythological griffin grifo is the same word — the tap's griffin-head origin is still visible in ornate antique fixtures.

Examples

"Abre el grifo para lavarte las manos."

Natural Translation

Turn on the tap to wash your hands.

Literal Translation

Open the tap to wash yourself the hands.

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