Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ranura | /raˈnuɾa/ | feminine |
| acanaladura | /akanalaˈduɾa/ | feminine |
| canal | /kaˈnal/ | masculine |
| hendidura | /endiˈduɾa/ | feminine |
| surco | /ˈsuɾko/ | masculine |
In Spanish, the word for a long, narrow channel varies based on whether you are describing a mechanical slot, an agricultural furrow or a physical crack. You can also use the related verb ranurar to describe the action of cutting a groove or a slot into a surface.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the specific nature of the groove. Use ranura for a narrow slot or opening, such as a coin slot or hardware component. Use surco when referring specifically to a furrow made in soil for planting. Use hendidura if the groove is more of a crack, cleft or a narrow opening in a solid surface. The word acanaladura and the masculine noun canal are also available for different types of channels.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Caribbean countries like Cuba and Puerto Rico, the term Tumbao is used to refer to a distinctive groove in Afro-Caribbean music.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine noun ranura becomes ranuras in its plural form. The masculine noun surco becomes surcos in its plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/raˈnuɾa/
Did you know?
- The word canal traces its lineage back to the Akkadian word qanûm, showing a linguistic connection that spans thousands of years and several civilizations.
- While surco describes a physical groove in the earth, it is also used metaphorically in Spanish to describe the 'furrow' of a life or a deep-seated habit.
- The term hendidura comes from the verb hendir, which means to split or cleave, implying the groove was formed by a forceful opening.
Examples in context
- puedes sentir el ritmo de esta canciónYou can feel the groove of this song
- La cadencia de esta música es hipnóticaThe groove of this music is hypnotic
- Ese pianista tiene un gran tumbaoThat pianist has a great groove
- siente el ritmoFeel the rhythm
- mueve tus caderasMove your hips
- La ranura es muy estrecha.The groove is very narrow.
- Limpia la ranura de la madera.Clean the groove in the wood.
- Hay una ranura en el panel.There is a groove in the panel.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are assembling a wooden shelf.
- Lucía¿Ves la ranura de la tabla?Do you see the groove in the board?
- MateoSí, Lucía, la veo perfectamente.Yes, Lucía, I see it perfectly.
- LucíaEncaja la pieza en la ranura.Fit the piece into the groove.
- MateoVale, lo haré ahora mismo.Okay, I will do it right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “groove” translations and entries ranura, acanaladura, canal, hendidura, surco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acanaladura, canal, hendidura, ranura, CC BY-SA 4.0.
