arco y flecha
/aɾko i flet͡ʃa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "bow and arrow" is translated into Spanish as arco y flecha.
What does it mean word for word?
arco means "bow" (referring to a bow for shooting or a geometric arc) and flecha means "arrow".
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to the specific objects, you must use the masculine article el for arco and the feminine article la for flecha, forming el arco y la flecha.
How do you pronounce it?
/aɾko i fletʃa/
Did you know?
- While arco refers to the weapon, it is also the standard Spanish word for a 'rainbow', known as arco iris or 'iris bow'.
- The word flecha entered Spanish via Old French and has roots in Frankish, a Germanic language, rather than coming solely from Latin.
- The word flecha is used in the idiomatic expression tirar una flecha, which means to take a wild guess or 'shoot in the dark'.
Examples in context
- Para practicar tiro con arco, necesitas un arco y flechas de calidad.To practice archery, you need a quality bow and arrows.
- Mis abuelos tenían habilidades impresionantes con el arco y flecha.My grandparents had impressive archery skills.
- ¿Has visto mis flechas y arcos? Quería practicar tiro al blanco hoy.Have you seen my bows and arrows? I wanted to practice target shooting today.
- Él usa el arco y la flecha para cazar.He uses the bow and arrow to hunt.
- El niño juega con su arco y flecha.The boy plays with his bow and arrow.
- Necesitamos un arco y flecha para la exhibición.We need a bow and arrow for the exhibition.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are at a sporting goods store.
- ElenaMira, Daniel, ¡un arco y flecha!Look, Daniel, a bow and arrow!
- DanielEs muy bonito, pero no sé usarlo.It's very beautiful, but I don't know how to use it.
- ElenaYo puedo enseñarte a usar el arco y flecha.I can teach you how to use the bow and arrow.
- Daniel¡Genial! Vamos a comprarlo entonces.Great! Let's buy it then.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries arco, flecha, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
