grace — for purposes of this word as a cognate, this means a pleasing effect or charm
gracia — the Spanish cognate of the same meaning
“Grace” has many definitions in English, and those translate in a variety of ways into Spanish, but the words “grace” and “gracia” come from Latin’s gratia which means “favor, charm, thanks.”
It’s that last sense of the word upon which I want to focus your attention — “Thanks.” In Spanish, the word for “thanks” is “gracias.” Because of how commonly the word is used, even non-Spanish speaking/learning people tend to know or recognize the word “gracias,” but they may not realize its connection to our word “grace.”
Think of the upcoming holiday here in the United States — Thanksgiving. What will many of us be doing? Sitting around a table with family and friends and eating, right? What will some of us do prior to eating that meal? . . . .
Give thanks? Yes, I hope so.
However, some people will do what comes naturally for them prior to any meal, and they will say “grace.” “Grace” in that sense refers to a short mealtime prayer in which a person gives thanks for what’s before them on the table and for the company with whom they are sharing the meal.
Spanish learners who are familiar with mealtime prayer and with it being called “grace” as in “saying grace,” can much more easily equate the Spanish word “gracias” with its meaning of being thankful.
“Grace” is essentially a blessing bestowed upon you; thus, it’s something to be thankful for.
In the U.S. we call the holiday Thanksgiving. It’s not celebrated outside of the U.S., but the Spanish way of referring to it is “el Día de Acción de Gracias” which literally translates as “the day of action of thanks/thanking.” Sometimes it’s shortened to “el Día de Gracias” for “the day of thanks.”
If you celebrate the holiday correctly, you take time to give thanks for the blessings you have in your life. You are essentially saying “grace” for the “graces” you have in your life. You are saying “gracias” for the “gracias” you have.
Thank you for being a reader. Muchas gracias.
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Happy Thanksgiving. Until next time.
Tammy Marshall
Grace