cavar un hoyo
/kabaɾ un oʝo/from spelling rules
To dig a hole in Spanish is cavar un hoyo.
The phrase refers to the act of making a hole in the ground by removing soil, typically using one's hands or a tool.
Which one should you use?
While cavar un hoyo is common, cavar un agujero is often used in more formal or technical contexts to describe a hole. Hacer un hoyito is a colloquial way to express 'digging a little hole'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of digging a hole, use the gerund form cavando un hoyo.
How do you pronounce it?
/kabaɾ un oʝo/
Did you know?
- While hoyo and agujero both mean 'hole', agujero comes from the word aguja meaning 'needle', referring to the eye of a needle.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase cavar su propia tumba is used metaphorically to describe someone whose own actions lead to their downfall.
- In some Spanish dialects, the word hoyo is used as a derogatory slang term for a dull, remote, or insignificant town.
Examples in context
- Excavar un hoyo profundoDig a deep hole
- Cavar un hueco pequeñoDig a small hole
- Estoy cavando un hoyo para plantar un árbol.I am digging a hole to plant a tree.
- Necesito cavar un hoyo para plantar este árbol.I need to dig a hole to plant this tree.
- El perro empezó a cavar un hoyo en el jardín.The dog started to dig a hole in the garden.
- Vamos a cavar un hoyo para enterrar el tesoro.We are going to dig a hole to bury the treasure.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are working in their garden.
- AlejandroElena, ¿puedes ayudarme a cavar un hoyo?Elena, can you help me dig a hole?
- ElenaSí, Alejandro, ¿qué tan grande debe ser?Yes, Alejandro, how big should it be?
- AlejandroSolo hay que cavar un hoyo profundo para la raíz.We just need to dig a deep hole for the root.
- ElenaEntendido, traeré la pala ahora mismo.Understood, I will bring the shovel right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
