preto

Meaning

Adv

near, nearby

Adj

dark, swarthy, black

Opposite of

lonxe, branco, claro

Pronounced as (IPA)

[ˈpɾetʊ]

Etymology

Inherited from Latin: pressus

Cognate with Portuguese: preto

Cognate with Asturian: prietu

Cognate with Spanish: prieto

In summary

Back-formation from apretar (“tighten, push, squeeze, compress”). The semantic evolution to "dark" comes through the sense of "tight" or "thick". Another common, but less likely, etymology suggested is Vulgar Latin *prettus, from Latin pressus. Compare Portuguese preto, perto, Asturian prietu, Spanish prieto.

Sentences

Hai algo máis preto ?

Is there anything closer to it?

Nesta posición pode aguantar ata que o intruso está moi preto .

In this position it can hold until the intruder is very close.

Preto desta aldea está a Cova das Choias .

Near this village is the Cave of Choies.

Preto da Praia de Santa Marta atópanse os restos da Ermida de Santa Marta .

Near the Santa Marta Beach are the remains of the Hermitage of Santa Marta.

O recinto está nunha pequena valgada preto do lugar de Balleas.

The enclosure is in a small valley near the site of Ballets.