campo a través
/kampo a tɾabes/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'cross country' (the running sport) is translated into Spanish as campo a través.
The term refers to the sport of cross country running.
Meaning: running sport (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase campo a través is composed of campo (field) and a través (through), which literally means 'field through'.
Which one should you use?
More specific formal variations include Atletismo de campo a través and Carrera de campo a través. In informal settings, the term El cross is often used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, Campo a través and Carrera a campo través are frequently used formal terms. In Mexico, the informal phrase El cross is used to refer to the sport.
Did you know?
- The word través in campo a través is not originally Latin, but was likely borrowed into Spanish from Catalan.
- Spanish sports commentators often use the word fondo to describe this sport, focusing on the endurance of the athlete rather than the terrain of the campo a través.
- The phrase a través is used in Spanish to describe both physical movement through a forest and metaphorical movement through a difficult era of time.
Examples in context
- Mañana tengo una carrera de campo a través.Tomorrow I have a cross country race.
- El campo a través es muy exigente.Cross country is very demanding.
- Ella entrena para el campo a través.She trains for cross country.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are talking about their sports training at the park.
- Javier¿Vas a entrenar para el campo a través?Are you going to train for cross country?
- LucíaSí, Javier, hoy practico campo a través.Yes, Javier, today I practice cross country.
- JavierEs un deporte muy duro.It is a very tough sport.
- LucíaLo es, pero me encanta.It is, but I love it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, campo, través, CC BY-SA 4.0.
