The Spanish word 'reforma' (meaning 'reform') comes from combining two Latin elements: the prefix 're-' meaning 'again' or 'back', and 'forma' meaning 'form' or 'shape'. When joined together, these elements create the concept of 'reshaping' or 'forming again' - which is exactly what a reform does: it reshapes or restructures something to make it better.

Several common Spanish words share roots with 'reforma'. The word 'forma' (meaning 'form' or 'shape') comes directly from the same Latin root. Other related words include 'formar' (to form), 'formación' (formation), and 'informal' (informal). The prefix 're-' is also very productive in Spanish, appearing in many words like 'repetir' (to repeat), 'regresar' (to return), and 'renovar' (to renew).

English speakers can easily connect 'reforma' to several English cognates. The most obvious is 'reform', which shares both the same meaning and etymology. Other related English words include 'form', 'formal', 'formation', and 'transform'. All these words carry the basic idea of 'shape' or 'structure' from the Latin 'forma'. The prefix 're-' is also extremely common in English, appearing in words like 'return', 'repeat', and 'revise', always carrying the meaning of 'back' or 'again'.