Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| roca | /ˈroka/ | feminine |
| pedrusco | /peˈdɾusko/ | masculine |
| molón | /moˈlon/ | masculine |
roca is used to refer to rocks in a general sense or specifically to geological rock formations and rocks found in nature. When referring to the musical genre of rock, the word rock is used and for 'rock and roll', speakers often use the single word rocanrol.
Which one should you use?
While roca refers to a rock in a general or geological sense, pedrusco is used specifically to describe a large, heavy or clumsy boulder. Although not in the primary form list, note that piedra is commonly used for smaller individual rocks like stones or pebbles.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, piedra is the most widely accepted term for rock in both formal and informal contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
roca is a feminine noun. Its plural form is las rocas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈroka/
When do people say it?
When discussing the music genre 'rock and roll', it is common to use the term rocanrol, though the musical genre itself is often referred to simply as rock.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- ¿Te gusta el rocanrol?Do you like rock and roll?This sentence shows how to ask about a preference for the genre using roca.Tatoeba #10837214 by Seael, translation #3573735 by CK
- Hay una roca sobre el piso.There's a rock on the floor.This sentence illustrates the use of roca to describe an object on the floor.Tatoeba #1475341 by marcelostockle, translation #1182617 by paula_guisard
- Ella se sube arriba de la roca.She's going up the rock.This sentence demonstrates how to describe someone climbing a roca.Tatoeba #1432391 by marcelostockle, translation #1121345 by cntrational
- El montañero trepó la impresionante roca.The mountaineer climbed the impressive rock.
- El niño lanzó una piedra al agua del lago.The boy threw a rock into the lake water.
- El guía explicó la formación de las piedras volcánicas.The guide explained the formation of volcanic rocks.
- Caminar sobre la roca afilada no es seguro.Walking on the sharp rock is not safe.
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are hiking in the mountains.
- MaríaEsa roca es muy grande.That rock is very large.
- AlejandroSí, es impresionante.Yes, it is impressive.
- María¿Podemos sentarnos sobre la roca?Can we sit on the rock?
- AlejandroClaro, descansa un poco.Of course, rest a bit.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rock” translations and entries roca, pedrusco, molón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries molón, pedrusco, roca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
