maraca

noun mah-RAH-kah Rare

Origin: From a Tupi or Carib indigenous word for the rattle instrument, entering Spanish from the Caribbean.

Usage Note

Maraca is a percussion instrument consisting of a hollow gourd or shell filled with seeds or pebbles. It is almost always used in the plural maracas, as they are played in pairs. Maraca is a loanword from an indigenous Caribbean language and is the same in English and Spanish.

Examples

"El músico tocaba las maracas con ritmo perfecto."

Natural Translation

The musician played the maracas with perfect rhythm.

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