canaletas
/kanaletas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "rain gutters" is translated into Spanish as canaletas.
This phrase refers to the channels installed along the edges of a roof to collect and carry away rainwater.
What does it mean word for word?
The word canaleta is a diminutive of canal (channel), so it literally means "small channel" or "small conduit".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, canaletas might be the preferred term, whereas canalones may not be widely understood in those regions.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is canaleta, but the plural form canaletas is more commonly used when referring to the system of gutters on a house.
How do you pronounce it?
/kanaletas/
Did you know?
- In several Spanish-speaking countries, the word canaleta is used to describe the plastic trunking used to hide electrical wires on walls, which has nothing to do with roofs or rain.
- While canaletas refers to the gutters, the vertical downspout that carries water to the ground is often called a bajante, which literally means 'descender'.
- Depending on the country, a person might call a gutter a canalón if it is made of stone or clay, whereas canaleta often implies modern metal or plastic materials.
Examples in context
- Es esencial tener canaletas de lluvia en tu casaIt's essential to have rain gutters in your house
- Es importante mantener limpios los desagües para evitar problemas de inundacionesIt's important to keep the rain gutters clean to avoid flooding issues
- Las canaletas están sucias.The rain gutters are dirty.
- Hay que limpiar las canaletas antes del invierno.We must clean the rain gutters before winter.
- El agua gotea de las canaletas.Water is dripping from the rain gutters.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are looking at their house after a heavy rain.
- MaríaDaniel, mira cuánta agua cae por las canaletas.Daniel, look at how much water is coming through the gutters.
- DanielTienes razón, creo que están obstruidas.You're right, I think they are clogged.
- MaríaDeberíamos limpiarlas este fin de semana.We should clean them this weekend.
- DanielEstá bien, yo buscaré la escalera.All right, I will look for the ladder.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
