meteorización
/meteoɾiθaθjon/from spelling rulesfeminine
The English term "weathering" is translated into Spanish as meteorización.
Meteorización refers specifically to the geological process of the breaking down of rocks. Depending on the context of the wearing down or deterioration you are describing, other terms may be more appropriate. For example, erosión eólica describes natural erosion caused by wind and deteriorarse por la intemperie translates to 'deteriorating due to exposure to the elements'.
Meaning: breaking down of rocks (noun)
Which one should you use?
While meteorización is the technical term for the breaking down of rocks, the term desgaste is used when talking about the wearing down or deterioration of materials due to weather elements.
How does it change in a sentence?
Meteorización is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/meteoɾiθaθjon/
Did you know?
- The word meteorización shares its root with 'meteor', but in Spanish, this term is strictly geological and does not imply that the process is caused by meteors or falling space debris.
- The term desgaste is used for the weathering of stone, but it is also the standard word for the 'wear and tear' of a political career or a romantic relationship.
- In Spanish, there is a strict technical boundary that English speakers often ignore: meteorización describes rocks breaking in place, whereas erosión requires the actual movement of the broken pieces.
Examples in context
- El desgaste de los tejados de paja debido a la lluvia es evidente.The wearing down of thatched roofs due to rain is evident.
- El escritorio de madera se ha deteriorado por la intemperie.The wooden desk has deteriorated due to exposure to the elements.
- La meteorización afecta la superficie de las rocas.Weathering affects the surface of the rocks.
- La meteorización química cambia la composición del suelo.Chemical weathering changes the composition of the soil.
- Estudiamos la meteorización en la clase de geología.We study weathering in geology class.
Example conversation
Two students are studying geology in a classroom.
- MaríaAlejandro, ¿qué es la meteorización?Alejandro, what is weathering?
- AlejandroEs la ruptura de las rocas en la superficie.It is the breaking down of rocks on the surface.
- MaríaEntonces, ¿la meteorización ocurre lentamente?So, does weathering happen slowly?
- AlejandroSí, María, toma miles de años.Yes, María, it takes thousands of years.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “weathering” translations and entries meteorización, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
