profundo

Profundo is a term used primarily in Spanish as an adjective meaning both "deep" in a physical sense and "profound" in a figurative or intellectual sense. It can describe things with great depth, such as a body of water, a hole, or a philosophical idea, and it often appears in expressions that contrast depth with shallowness, such as profundidad or superficialidad.

Etymology and cognates

Profundo derives from Latin profundus, formed from pro- plus fundus, meaning bottom or base. The same root gave rise to related terms in other Romance languages, including Italian profondo and Portuguese profundo, and it shares origins with the English word profound. This lineage explains the parallel meanings across these languages: depth, intensity, and significance.

Usage in Romance languages

In Spanish, profundo agrees in gender and number (profundo, profunda, profundos, profundas) and is commonly paired with nouns to express physical depth or depth of meaning. In Portuguese, profundo functions similarly, with profundidade as the corresponding noun for depth. In Italian, profondo is used in analogous contexts, while the noun for depth is profondità. Adverbs exist in each language to express the manner of depth: profundamente in Spanish, profondamente in Italian, profundamente in Portuguese (though the exact form may vary by dialect).

Derivatives and related terms

Common derivatives include profundidad (depth) in Spanish, profundidade in Portuguese, and profondità in Italian. Adverbs include profundamente (Spanish) and profondamente (Italian). The term also appears in literary and philosophical contexts to denote substantial or significant depth of thought or experience.

See also

Related concepts include depth, profundity, and the opposite superficialidad/superficialidade.