Spanish Conversation · Level 62
76 words
Spanish word
barranca
Pronunciation
IPA/baˈraŋka/
Meaning
- feminine nounravine
Example
La barranca junto al río es profunda.
The ravine next to the river is deep.
More examples
Desde el mirador sobre la barranca se veía todo el valle.
From the lookout over the ravine you could see the whole valley.
Core concept
Steep-sided cleft or chasm between slopes often cut by a stream.
Common phrases
en el borde de la barranca
on the edge of the ravine
mirador sobre la barranca
lookout over the ravine
al pie de la barranca
at the foot of the ravine
Similar words
barranco: Deep erosion-cut gully on a slope or cliff with steep sides.
quebrada: Narrow, deep mountain valley often carved by a seasonal stream.
garganta: Very narrow gorge squeezed between high, sheer cliffs.
desfiladero: Tightly confined rocky gorge where the walls press closely together.
Definition in Spanish
Depresión estrecha y profunda entre laderas o montes, con paredes empinadas formada por la erosión, a menudo junto a un curso de agua.
Word origin
Derived from a medieval Iberian term that evolved alongside the related word barranco and denotes a steep cleft produced by water erosion.
Usage tips
- In conversation barranca signals the presence of a dangerous drop or specific location and often occurs with viewpoint verbs such as mirar desde, asomarse, or caer.
Other meanings
- steep banknoun
Opposites
- planicieplainnoun
- colinahillnoun
Related words
- barrancosoravine-filledadjective