cavar
/kaˈbaɾ/
To dig in Spanish is cavar. Wiktionary also lists ahondar and ahoyar.
Meaning: to move hard-packed earth out of the way (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| cavar | /kaˈbaɾ/ |
| ahondar | /aonˈdaɾ/ |
| ahoyar | /aoʝaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
| escarbar | /eskaɾˈbaɾ/ |
The verb cavar is the most common and general way to describe the physical act of moving earth or digging a hole. If you are referring to the formal process of an archaeological or construction-related dig, you should use the noun excavación.
Which one should you use?
The different forms of the verb convey different nuances of the action. Use cavar for general digging. Use ahondar when your specific focus is on making an existing hole deeper. Use escarbar if you are describing light, superficial digging or scratching at the surface, such as a dog digging in the dirt or a person searching through a bag. The expression hacer un hoyo is used specifically to signify the act of digging a hole.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈbaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb escarbar traces its roots back to the Ancient Greek word for 'writing' or 'sketching'.
- In Spanish, the phrase cavar su propia tumba is used figuratively to describe someone who creates their own downfall through their actions.
- While 'digging' is a physical act, the verb ahondar can be used figuratively to mean 'to delve into' a topic or 'to deepen' a conversation.
Examples in context
- A los niños les encanta cavar en la arena.Children love to dig in the sand.This sentence shows how to use cavar regarding children playing in sand.Tatoeba #841930 by Shishir, translation #680688 by Source_VOA
- Estoy tan avergonzado que podría cavar un agujero y arrastrarme a él.I'm so embarrassed I could dig a hole and crawl into it.This sentence uses cavar in a figurative expression about being embarrassed.Tatoeba #1451004 by marcelostockle, translation #238578 by CM
- Por un mes no cayó ni una sola gota de agua, así que tuvieron que cavar un pozo.Not a drop of rain fell for a month, so they had to dig a well.This sentence demonstrates using cavar for the purpose of digging a well.Tatoeba #3496631 by marcelostockle, translation #27875 by CK
- Me encanta cavar en mi huerto los fines de semana.I love digging in my garden on weekends.
- Los arqueólogos están excavando un antiguo sitio maya.The archaeologists are digging an ancient Mayan site.
- Voy a hacer un hoyo en el patio trasero para plantar un árbol.I'm going to dig a hole in the backyard to plant a tree.
- Mi perro siempre empieza a escarbar en el jardín cuando ve un conejo.My dog always starts digging in the garden when he sees a rabbit.
- Necesito mover tierra para construir un estanque en mi patio.I need to dig/move dirt to build a pond in my yard.
- Carlos pasa todo el día picando en la mina para extraer carbón.Carlos spends the whole day digging in the mine to extract coal.
- María y Juan cavaron un pozo para encontrar agua en el desierto.María and Juan dug a well to find water in the desert.
- Me gusta escarbar en la arena de la playa para construir castillos.I enjoy digging in the sand at the beach to build castles.
- Alejandro está picando la roca para hacer espacio para el nuevo edificio.Alejandro is digging/chipping at the rock to make space for the new building.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are working in their backyard.
- JavierSofía, ¿me ayudas a cavar este hoyo?Sofía, will you help me dig this hole?
- SofíaSí, Javier, pero la tierra está muy dura.Yes, Javier, but the earth is very hard.
- JavierEs cierto, tenemos que cavar con más fuerza.It's true, we have to dig with more strength.
- SofíaTraeré la pala para cavar mejor.I'll bring the shovel to dig better.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dig” translations and entries cavar, ahondar, escarbar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ahondar, cavar, escarbar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
