rascar
/rasˈkaɾ/
To scratch in Spanish is rascar.
The verb rascar is used to describe the act of digging or scraping a surface.
Meaning: dig or scrape with claws or fingernails with the intention to injure (verb)
Which one should you use?
While rascar is used for scratching an itch or a surface, the verb arañar specifically implies scratching with claws or nails, often to cause pain or a mark. If you are referring to a disruption or a mark on a surface (a noun), you may use arañazo or rayadura.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin American countries, particularly in Mexico and some Central American nations, the informal term rasponazo is frequently used to mean a scratch.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When scratching one's own body, the verb is used in its reflexive form, rascarse.
How do you pronounce it?
/rasˈkaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use possessive adjectives for body parts. In Spanish, you should use the definite article, such as rascar la espalda instead of rascar mi espalda.
Did you know?
- While rascar can mean to scrape, the phrase rascar la guitarra is a common slang term in some regions for playing the guitar, often in a casual or unskilled way.
- In Spanish, the word rascar is used in the idiom rascar el fondo de la olla, which means to get the very last bit of something or to exhaust all options.
- In some contexts, rascar can be used metaphorically in slang to mean 'to search' or 'to dig around' for something, like searching for money.
Examples in context
- Quiero rascarme la nariz.I want to scratch my nose.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to scratch a specific body part using rascar.Tatoeba #1367733 by Shishir, translation #1205633 by CK
- No me puedo rascar. No tengo uñas.I cannot scratch. I don't have finger nails.This sentence shows how to express the inability to scratch due to a lack of fingernails using rascar.Tatoeba #1941388 by hayastan, translation #1682034 by Amastan
- Nos podemos rascar la espalda mutuamente, ¿quieres?We can scratch each other's backs. Do you want to?This sentence demonstrates how to offer to scratch someone else's back using rascar.Tatoeba #10295311 by Seael, translation #10993746 by DJ_Saidez
- El gato me hizo un pequeño arañazo en el brazo.The cat scratched me a little on the arm.
- El perro me dejó un rasguño en la pierna.The dog left a scratch on my leg.
- Me caí en la calle y me hice un rasponazo en la rodilla.I fell on the street and got a big scratch on my knee.
- Mi hermano dejó un rayón en la mesa con las llaves.My brother scratched the table with the keys.
- El arañazo es profundo.The scratch is deep.
- El rasguño apenas me lastimó.The scratch barely hurt me.
- Ese rasponazo necesita un poco de atención médica.That scratch needs some medical attention.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are talking about a cat.
- MateoEl gato quiere rascar el sofá.The cat wants to scratch the sofa.
- SofíaNo permitas que lo haga, Mateo.Don't let him do it, Mateo.
- MateoYa es tarde, empezó a rascar la tela.It's too late, he started to scratch the fabric.
- SofíaNecesitamos comprarle un rascador pronto.We need to buy him a scratching post soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry rascar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
