Geminada means duplicate, which is arranged in pairs. The most frequent use of the term appears in “detached house”. A semi-detached house is a type of symmetrical construction, which unites two or more dwellings, sharing the roof and part of the structure between them.
In Linguistics, the term appears in “twin consonant” which designates a double consonant, longer than a single consonant. It results from the twinning process, in which there is an increase in the intensity of the consonant articulation. In the Italian language, this type of consonant is very common, altering the pronunciation of words.
Semi-detached x germinated
Geminada and germinated are words with similar spelling, generating frequent confusion. Geminada derives from the verb “geminar” which means “to duplicate”. While “germinated” derives from the verb “germinate” which means “to generate, “to be born” or “to develop”. Therefore, it is correct to speak of a germinated seed (where the sprout will develop) but never a “sprouted house” to refer to the specific type of dwelling.
