raya
/ˈraʝa/
The English word 'stingray' is translated into Spanish as raya.
The term raya is a noun used to refer to venomous rays belonging to the orders Rajiformes and Myliobatiformes.
Meaning: venomous ray of the orders Rajiformes and Myliobatiformes (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, raya is a common way to say stingray.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈraʝa/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word raya is also used to mean a 'line' or a 'streak', as in a mark drawn on paper.
- The word raya shares the same origin as the English word 'ray', which comes from the Latin 'radius' meaning a spoke of a wheel or a beam of light.
- In some contexts, particularly in older Spanish, raya can refer to a 'border' or a 'boundary' between two areas.
Examples in context
- El buzo investigaba la raya venenosa en el arrecife coralino.The diver was researching the venomous ray in the coral reef.
- Ayer vi un pez raya gigante nadando cerca de la orilla.Yesterday, I saw a massive stingray swimming close to the shore.
- Las rayas son criaturas fascinantes que habitan en nuestros océanos.Stingrays are fascinating creatures that inhabit our oceans.
- Vi una raya en el arrecife.I saw a stingray in the reef.
- Cuidado con esa raya.Watch out for that stingray.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are snorkeling in the ocean.
- Mateo¡Mira esa raya allá!Look at that stingray over there!
- LucíaEs una raya muy hermosa, Mateo.It is a very beautiful stingray, Mateo.
- MateoNo te acerques demasiado.Don't get too close.
- LucíaTienes razón, es peligrosa.You are right, it is dangerous.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry raya, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries raya, CC BY-SA 4.0.
