Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| llovizna | /ʝoˈbiθna/ | feminine |
| chilchi | /ˈt͡ʃilt͡ʃi/ | Bolivia, Eastern, masculine |
| chilche | /ˈt͡ʃilt͡ʃe/ | Bolivia, masculine, alternative form |
| cilampa | /θiˈlampa/ /siˈlampa/ |
Costa Rica, feminine |
| garúa | /ɡaˈɾua/ | Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, feminine |
| sirimiri | /siɾiˈmiɾi/ | masculine |
| orvallo | /oɾˈbaʝo/ | Asturias, masculine |
| silampa | /siˈlampa/ | feminine |
| aguacha | /aˈɡwat͡ʃa/ | feminine |
The noun refers to light rain. If you wish to describe the action of raining lightly, you can use the verb lloviznar or chispear. While lloviznar typically describes a continuous light rain, chispear often implies a more intermittent or light sprinkling of rain. For verbs meaning to pour liquid slowly and evenly, you may use rociar, pringar or salpicar.
What does it mean word for word?
The word llovizna is a diminutive form of llover (to rain), which implies a smaller or lighter amount of rain.
Which one should you use?
The verb lloviznar is used for continuous light rain, whereas chispear suggests an intermittent sprinkling. For the noun, llovizna is the standard term, but other regional variants exist depending on where you are.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Various regions use specific terms for drizzle: garúa is common in Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. In parts of Spain, influenced by Basque, the word sirimiri is used to describe a fine, misty drizzle. In the Asturias region, the term orvallo is used for a fine drizzle. In Costa Rica, you may hear cilampa or silampa and in Bolivia, the terms chilchi or the alternative spelling chilche are used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
llovizna is a feminine noun. chilchi and chilche are masculine. sirimiri and orvallo are masculine. garúa, cilampa, silampa and aguacha are feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʝoˈbiθna/
Did you know?
- The word chispear is derived from chispa, meaning 'spark'. This creates a vivid mental image of rain falling in tiny, bright flashes like sparks of fire.
- The word aguacha can refer to a light rain, but in some contexts, it also means a mixture of water and something else, like a watered-down drink.
- The word sirimiri is not originally Spanish but is borrowed from Basque, where it mimics the sound of a fine, persistent rain.
Examples in context
- Hoy va a lloviznarToday, it is going to drizzle
- ¡Mira cómo chispea!Look at how it's drizzling!
- La llovizna de hoy es bastante persistente.Today's drizzle is quite persistent.
- El sirimiri de esta región es bien conocido por los lugareños.The drizzle in this region is well-known among the locals.
- Hay una llovizna muy fina ahora.There is a very fine drizzle now.
- La llovizna mojó mi ropa.The drizzle soaked my clothes.
- Prefiero caminar bajo la llovizna.I prefer walking in the drizzle.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are looking out the window.
- MaríaMira, parece que hay llovizna.Look, it seems like there is a drizzle.
- AlejandroSí, pero no es mucha agua.Yes, but it's not much water.
- María¿Llevamos el paraguas entonces?Should we take the umbrella then?
- AlejandroMejor sí, para evitar la llovizna.Better yes, to avoid the drizzle.
