calco
/ˈkalko/
The English phrase tracing can be translated into Spanish as calco.
In Spanish, there are several ways to express the concept of tracing depending on the context. The word rastrear is widely recognized and understood in various Spanish-speaking regions. For more formal contexts, you might use rastreo or seguimiento to convey the meaning of tracing.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈkalko/.
Did you know?
- In linguistics, a calco is a 'loan translation' where a language borrows a foreign phrase by translating its parts literally, such as the English 'skyscraper' becoming rascacielos.
- While calco refers to a copy, the verb calcar is often used figuratively in Spanish to describe someone who mimics another person's behavior or personality perfectly.
- The word rastrear comes from rastro, meaning 'track' or 'trail', and is the same word used for bloodhounds following a scent.
Examples in context
- El rastreo de un paquete en el servicio postalThe tracing of a package in the postal service
- El seguimiento de casos de COVID-19The tracing of COVID-19 cases
- La policía está realizando un rastreo de los movimientos del sospechosoThe police are conducting a tracing of the suspect's movements
- Sigamos la pista del origen de este objeto antiguoLet's trace the origins of this ancient artifact
- Ese término es un calco del inglés.That term is a tracing from English.
Example conversation
María and Javier are working on an art project together.
- MaríaJavier, ¿tienes papel para el calco?Javier, do you have paper for the tracing?
- JavierSí, María, está sobre la mesa.Yes, María, it is on the table.
- MaríaVoy a hacer el calco ahora.I am going to do the tracing now.
- JavierPerfecto, así será más fácil.Perfect, it will be easier that way.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry calco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
