labrar la tierra
/labɾaɾ la tjera/from spelling rules
The phrase "tilling the soil" in Spanish is labrar la tierra.
This phrase describes the process of preparing farmland by digging or stirring the earth to get it ready for planting crops.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb labrar (to till/work) and la tierra (the earth/land/soil).
Which one should you use?
While la tierra is the most common way to refer to farmland, el suelo can be used specifically to refer to the physical soil or ground.
How does it change in a sentence?
The gerund form labrando la tierra is used to express the continuous action of tilling the soil.
Did you know?
- While labrar la tierra refers to farming, the verb labrar is also used metaphorically to describe the act of carving or sculpting a material like stone or wood.
- While labrar la tierra means tilling, the phrase labrar el destino is a common metaphor for actively shaping one's own future.
- The word tierra shares a common ancestor with the English word 'dry', originating from a root meaning 'dry ground' to distinguish it from wet or marshy areas.
Examples in context
- El agricultor está labrando la tierra antes de sembrar las semillas.The farmer is tilling the soil before sowing the seeds.
- Hoy voy a preparar la tierra para la huerta.Today, I'm going to till the soil for the vegetable garden.
- El granjero utiliza un arado para arar el suelo en el campo.The farmer uses a plow to till the soil in the field.
- Voy a cavar la tierra para plantar las flores en mi jardín.I'm going to till the soil to plant the flowers in my garden.
- Vamos a picar la tierra en el jardín para comenzar la siembra.We are going to break up the soil in the garden to start planting.
- El agricultor está labrando la tierra para la próxima temporada.The farmer is tilling the soil for the next season.
- Es necesario labrar la tierra antes de sembrar.It is necessary to till the soil before planting.
- El agricultor va a labrar la tierra mañana.The farmer is going to till the soil tomorrow.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are talking in a rural garden.
- DanielSofía, ¿ayudarás a labrar la tierra hoy?Sofía, will you help till the soil today?
- SofíaSí, Daniel, quiero que el huerto esté listo.Yes, Daniel, I want the vegetable garden to be ready.
- DanielPerfecto, empecemos a labrar la tierra ahora.Perfect, let's start tilling the soil now.
- SofíaEstá bien, busquemos las herramientas.All right, let's look for the tools.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, labrar, tierra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
