arroyo
/aˈroʝo/masculine
In Spanish, the word for brook is arroyo. Wiktionary also lists arroyuelo.
Meaning: a small stream (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| arroyo | /aˈroʝo/ | masculine |
| arroyuelo | /aroˈʝwelo/ | masculine |
The term refers to a small stream.
Which one should you use?
The form arroyuelo is a diminutive of arroyo and is used to describe an even smaller brook or a rivulet.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and some Central American countries, the phrase Ojo de Agua is used to refer to a spring or small natural source of water.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun arroyo is masculine and requires masculine articles such as el or un.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈroʝo/
Did you know?
- The word arroyo comes from the Latin arrugia, which originally meant a 'mineshaft' rather than a body of water.
- In some regions, arroyo is used to describe a 'dry stream' that only contains water after heavy rainfall, unlike the English 'brook' which implies a constant flow.
- The term arroyo has been borrowed directly into English to describe a specific type of dry creek bed found in the American Southwest.
Examples in context
- Mary tomó un lienzo y pinturas y caminó hacia el arroyo.Mary took a canvas and paints and walked to the brook.This sentence shows how to use arroyo in a context involving walking toward a stream.Tatoeba #5995682 by albrusgher, translation #5868210 by maaster
- Ella observó a los niños jugando en el arroyo.She watched the children playing in the brook.This sentence illustrates the use of arroyo when describing children playing in a brook.Tatoeba #2413651 by Haruhi_Gafitas, translation #267631 by CM
- Ese riachuelo tiene agua transparenteThat brook has clear water
- El arroyo detrás de mi casa es muy pintorescoThe brook behind my house is very picturesque
- Los niños disfrutaron jugando en la chorreraThe children enjoyed playing in the brook
- El agua del arroyo está muy fría.The water in the brook is very cold.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are hiking in the mountains.
- JavierMira ese arroyo allá abajo.Look at that brook down there.
- ElenaEs muy hermoso, Javier.It is very beautiful, Javier.
- JavierPodemos descansar cerca del agua.We can rest near the water.
- ElenaSí, me parece una buena idea.Yes, it sounds like a good idea to me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brook” translations and entries arroyo, arroyuelo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries arroyo, arroyuelo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
