Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| acantilado | /akantiˈlado/ | masculine |
| precipicio | /pɾeθiˈpiθjo/ /pɾesiˈpisjo/ |
masculine |
| risco | /ˈrisko/ | masculine |
| despeñadero | /despeɲaˈdeɾo/ | masculine |
In Spanish, different words describe various types of steep rock faces or the sensation of a vertical drop. You might use one word to describe a geological formation and another to emphasize the danger of a fall.
Which one should you use?
acantilado is a neutral term used to describe the geological feature of a steep rock face, especially one located by the sea. precipicio emphasizes the danger of a steep drop or a vertical fall, and it is often used figuratively to describe a dangerous situation. risco refers to a smaller, jagged or prominent rocky peak or outcrop rather than a long coastline cliff. despeñadero describes a specific place where someone or something might fall or be thrown off a cliff.
Is it said differently in some regions?
paredón is a term for cliff that is more commonly heard in regions such as Mexico and Central America.
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms of the word for cliff provided in this list are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/akantiˈlado/
Did you know?
- The term acantilado is actually a past participle form of the verb acantilar, meaning to make a cliff or to steepen.
- The word risco is frequently used in traditional folk songs and classical poetry to symbolize rugged solitude or a secret sanctuary.
- The word despeñadero contains the verb despeñar, which literally means to throw or cause someone to fall onto the rocks. It describes not just the geological feature, but the actual act of falling from it.
Examples in context
- Tom saltó de un precipicio.Tom jumped off a cliff.This sentence shows the use of precipicio in the context of jumping.Tatoeba #6047057 by albrusgher, translation #5748428 by CM
- El acantilado es casi vertical.The cliff is almost vertical.This sentence shows the use of acantilado to describe a geological feature.Tatoeba #6047055 by albrusgher, translation #48970 by CK
- Ojalá te caigas a un precipicio.I hope that you fall off a cliff.This sentence shows the use of precipicio in a figurative or cautionary sense.Tatoeba #1167670 by marcelostockle, translation #1167672 by marcelostockle
- El acantilado era impresionante, con vistas al océano Atlántico.The cliff was impressive, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are walking along a coastal path.
- ElenaMira ese acantilado tan alto.Look at that very high cliff.
- DanielEs impresionante, Elena.It is impressive, Elena.
- ElenaNo te acerques demasiado al borde.Don't get too close to the edge.
- DanielEstá bien, tendré cuidado.Okay, I will be careful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cliff” translations and entries acantilado, precipicio, risco, despeñadero, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acantilado, despeñadero, precipicio, risco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
