descenso de ríos
/desˌθenso de ˈrios/
In Spanish, rafting is called descenso de ríos. Wiktionary also lists descensión fluvial and descendimiento fluvial.
Meaning: sport (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| descenso de ríos | /desˌθenso de ˈrios/ /deˌsenso de ˈrios/ |
|
| descensión fluvial | /desθensjon flubjal/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /dessensjon flubjal/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine, rare |
| descendimiento fluvial | /desθendimjento flubjal/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /dessendimjento flubjal/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| rafting (raftin) | masculine |
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase descenso de ríos literally means 'descent of rivers'.
Which one should you use?
descenso de ríos is a descriptive way to refer to the sport, whereas the anglicism rafting is common in practice. For more specific, formal contexts, one might use the expression Descenso por aguas bravas, which means 'descent on white waters'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual conversation and within the tourism industry, the English loanword rafting is frequently used. descensión fluvial and descendimiento fluvial are rarer forms.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, descenso de ríos is the common way to refer to the sport.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the anglicism as a noun, it is masculine and typically takes the definite article el, such as in el rafting.
How do you pronounce it?
/desˌθenso de ˈrios/
Did you know?
- While rafting is common in conversation, the formal term descenso por aguas bravas uses the phrase aguas bravas which literally means 'angry waters'.
- The term descenso de ríos is used broadly in Spain to cover various river-based descent activities, not just those using an inflatable raft.
- The word fluvial in descensión fluvial shares its roots with the English word 'fluviatile', an adjective used by geologists and biologists to describe things related to rivers.
Examples in context
- ¡Vamos a hacer rafting!Let's go rafting!
- ¿Dónde puedo alquilar un equipo de rafting?Where can I rent rafting gear?
- ¿Cuánto tiempo dura la actividad?How long does the activity last?
- ¿Es necesario tener experiencia previa?Is previous experience necessary?
- El descenso de ríos es muy emocionante.Rafting is very exciting.
- Mañana practicaremos el descenso de ríos en el cañón.Tomorrow we will practice rafting in the canyon.
- Ella prefiere el descenso de ríos antes que el kayak.She prefers rafting over kayaking.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their plans for a summer trip.
- María¿Te gusta el descenso de ríos, Alejandro?Do you like rafting, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSí, me encanta la adrenalina de ese deporte.Yes, I love the adrenaline of that sport.
- MaríaPodemos reservar un curso de descenso de ríos.We can book a rafting course.
- AlejandroEs una excelente idea para nuestras vacaciones.It is an excellent idea for our vacation.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rafting” translations and entries descenso de ríos, 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.
