nacimiento

Nacimiento is a Spanish noun with multiple related meanings. It most commonly denotes birth—the act of being born or the moment of birth—and can also indicate origin or source, including the origin of a person (lugar de nacimiento) or of a river (el nacimiento del río).

Etymology: The word derives from the verb nacer (to be born), via the nominalizing suffix -miento, and ultimately from Latin nascere. The sense of origin underlies its use for birthplace and for things’ origins.

Usage: In biographical contexts, nacimiento appears in phrases such as fecha de nacimiento and lugar de nacimiento. It can also denote the broader idea of nativity or origin, including cultural or national origins.

Religious and cultural usage: In Christian tradition, el nacimiento refers to the Nativity—the birth of Jesus Christ. In many Spanish-speaking regions, a belén or nacimiento is a nativity scene displayed during Christmas, featuring figures of Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus, and is a common decorative and devotional motif.

Geography and toponymy: Nacimiento is used as a place name in various Spanish-speaking areas, including towns, villages, and geographic features. The term’s broad meaning of origin is reflected in such names, illustrating its versatility across language and culture.