denominar

Denominar is a verb used in Spanish and Portuguese that means to name, designate, or label something. It is employed to assign a name to a person, place, object, or concept, and to designate it by a specific term or category. In financial contexts, denominar can also mean to express a value or contract in a particular currency, for example denominating bonds in dollars.

Etymology and form: Denominar comes from Latin denomīnārī, formed from de- (away, completely) and nomināre (to name). In both Spanish and Portuguese it is a regular -ar verb, with standard conjugation patterns for these languages.

Spanish usage: Denominar is used for formal or descriptive naming. Examples: “La ciudad fue denominada por los arqueólogos como la capital prehispánica” and “El comité denominó al proyecto como prioritario.” In finance, it is common to say “Los bonos están denominados en euros.”

Portuguese usage: Similar sense in Portuguese. Examples: “A região foi denominada pelo governo como área de proteção” and “O projeto foi denominado como prioritário pelo comitê.” In financial language, one can say “títulos denominados em dólares.”

Distinciones: Nombrar and designar are close synonyms. Nombrar suele referirse a otorgar un nombre a personas o cargos; designar enfatiza asignar una función, rol o propósito. Denominar añade una connotación de designación formal o categorización, y se emplea tanto en lenguaje general como técnico.

Verbo relacionado en inglés: denominate. See also denominación, denominación de la moneda y denominational en contextos técnicos.