Did Disney鈥檚 movie Encanto leave you humming鈥攁nd wondering?
Are you curious about what the Spanish word encanto 尘别补苍蝉?听Encanto has several meanings, all of which relate to the movie, including a surprising history.
What does encanto mean in Spanish?
First, the noun encanto in Spanish means 鈥渃harm.鈥� A small town with beautiful historical buildings might be full of charm and could be described as an encanto. This means the unique town and people in Disney鈥檚 Encanto are an encanto.
The island of Puerto Rico is known by its popular nickname聽Isla del Encanto (or the 鈥淚sland of Enchantment鈥�). And while Encanto the movie is based in Colombia, many Spanish speakers in the audience will be familiar with this reference to a common nickname for Puerto Rico. This meaning of encanto can also be used to compliment someone鈥擸ou鈥檙e such a sweetheart, or 鈥淓res un encanto.鈥�
Encanto also means 鈥渟pell,鈥� which is definitely a fitting definition for the magical Madrigal family in the Disney movie as well. Each family member is given a magical gift, and the Madrigal house is also in itself magical. Encanto also includes elements of magic realism, a literary genre frequently used in Latin America and known for its “images or scenes of surreal fantasy,” which are depicted in a representational or realistic way.
Encantar is a verb related to encanto. It means 鈥渢o bewitch or cast a spell on.鈥� You might also use it to say you鈥檝e been enchanted by something: 鈥渕e encanta la pel铆cula,鈥� or I love the movie. And yes, when you鈥檙e introduced to someone in Spanish, you can reply with an 鈥渆ncantada鈥� or 鈥渆ncantado.鈥� This means you鈥檙e delighted to meet them.
Where does the word encanto come from?
There鈥檚 one more Easter egg for clever movie (and word) fans hidden here: the word comes from the Latin 颈苍肠补苍迟艒 (鈥淚 sing鈥�), or 颈苍肠补苍迟腻谤别, meaning 鈥渢o sing鈥� (often as part of a magical spell). The words enchant 补苍诲听enchanted聽are also derived from the same Latin verb, which can also聽mean 鈥渢o spell.鈥� But it鈥檚 the alternate definition (“to sing”) that takes us back to the Disney movie, where all the characters are definitely charming singers as well.
That鈥檚 simply enchanting!
