palabra
word
A unit of language
Encoding Strategies:
linguistic
parable
a story made of words
+
-a
noun suffix
Palabra means word and looks just like the English word parable0 — and a parable is, after all, a story made entirely of words.
palabra
word
A word, the basic unit of language.
No entendí ni una palabra de lo que dijoI didn't understand a single word of what he said
¿Cómo se escribe esa palabra?How do you spell that word?
word (a promise)
Just like in English, your "word" is your promise. When you give someone your palabra, you're pledging to follow through.
Te doy mi palabra de que estaré allíI give you my word that I'll be there
Cumplió su palabra y devolvió el dineroHe kept his word and returned the money
tener / pedir / dar la palabra
the right to speak (in a debate or assembly)
Whoever has "the word" at any moment is the one speaking — so giving, taking, or asking for "la palabra" is giving, taking, or asking for the right to speak.
El presidente le dio la palabra al diputadoThe president gave the floor to the congressman
Pidió la palabra para responder a las críticasShe asked for the right to speak to respond to the criticism