One up on some Spanish-speaking friends...

[alexpgp]

Saw a billboard here in Texas offering to help with 'problemas hipotecarios'. My first impression was the second word shared a root with 'apothecary', but that didn't jive with the graphic on the billboard. (And anyway, why would anyone advertise a service to help people experiencing problems with drugstores?)

I asked some Spanish-speaking friends about this, but could not get an answer. Then, out of nowhere, I remembered running across a Russian word—ипотека (transliterated as 'ipoteka')—which means 'mortgage'.

Bingo! A nice 'aha' moment, but the word does not appear to be in common use, based on my limited experience.

Cheers...

Comments

[annathyst]

Probably both from the same root as "hypothecate", which does indeed mean to put up something as security for a debt.

[alexpgp.livejournal.com]

A new one for me.

Long time no hear from. How the heck have you been doing?

[alexander sokolov (from livejournal.com)]

Being a Russian I guessed immediately :)))

[adoptedwriter.livejournal.com]

I'm a Spanish major/ teacher. Let me know if you have Español questions. AW

[alexpgp.livejournal.com]

Well, then... :^)

Is hipoteca one of those European Spanish words that most people in Latin and South America don't use?

Cheers...

[adoptedwriter.livejournal.com]

"Préstamo" is a more generic word for loan. "Hipoteca" is more specific for a home mortgage. It doesn't seem to be unique to any region.

AW