rocas
/rokas/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'rocks' is translated into Spanish as rocas.
The term refers to solid mineral materials that form part of the earth's surface.
Which one should you use?
While rocas is used to refer to rocks, the term piedras is also a common and versatile way to say rocks in Spanish. Rocas tends to refer specifically to larger or more solid rocks.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin American countries, the diminutive piedritas is used to refer to small rocks or pebbles.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the noun is roca. Because the noun is feminine, the definite article used with the plural form is las (as in las rocas) instead of the masculine los.
How do you pronounce it?
/rokas/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the term piedra is used in the expression piedra libre to mean 'free to use' or 'open to public use', such as a park or a resource.
- In Spanish, the word piedra is used to describe the 'stone' or pit of a fruit like a peach, whereas roca is never used for food.
- Medical conditions like kidney stones or gallstones are called piedras in Spanish, but you would never use rocas in a medical context.
Examples in context
- El barco encalló sobre las rocas.The ship crashed on the rocks.This sentence shows how a ship might crash on the rocas.Tatoeba #6895346 by albrusgher, translation #681961 by Source_VOA
- El pez está escondido bajo las rocas.The fish is hiding under the rocks.This sentence describes a fish hiding under the rocas.Tatoeba #3864907 by heyanapau, translation #2839354 by Hybrid
- El agua se deslizaba por encima de las rocas.The water slid over the rocks.This sentence describes water sliding over the rocas.Tatoeba #8686454 by arh, translation #9189292 by DJ_Saidez
- La playa está llena de piedras redondas.The beach is full of round rocks.
- Me gusta recolectar piedras preciosas.I enjoy collecting precious stones.
- Las rocas del acantilado son impresionantes.The rocks on the cliff are impressive.
- La cueva está llena de rocas enormes.The cave is full of huge rocks.
- Los ríos de esta región tienen aguas cristalinas y piedritas en el fondo.The rivers in this region have crystal-clear waters and small rocks on the bottom.
- Caminamos por la playa y sentimos las piedritas bajo nuestros pies.We walked on the beach and felt the pebbles under our feet.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are hiking in a mountain area.
- ElenaMira esas rocas gigantes.Look at those giant rocks.
- AlejandroSon muy impresionantes, Elena.They are very impressive, Elena.
- ElenaTen cuidado al caminar sobre las rocas.Be careful walking on the rocks.
- AlejandroLo tendré en cuenta, gracias.I will keep that in mind, thanks.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
