Spanish word

catarata

Pronunciation

IPA/kataˈɾata/

Meaning

  • feminine nounwaterfall

Example

Hay una catarata cerca del pueblo.

There is a waterfall near the village.

Illustration for catarata (waterfall)

More examples

¿Quieres visitar una catarata este fin de semana?

Do you want to visit a waterfall this weekend?

Core concept

Waterfall plunging from a river cliff.

Common phrases

  • visitar una catarata

    visit a waterfall

  • una catarata impresionante

    an impressive waterfall

Similar words

cascada: Waterfall formed where a river flows over a ledge or series of rock steps.
salto: Single sharp drop in a river or stream where the water falls in one step.

Definition in Spanish

Caída de agua desde un desnivel en un río o arroyo, visible como un salto o una cortina de agua.

Word origin

Borrowed ultimately from Greek καταρράκτης meaning 'down-rushing', the same root behind English cataract via Latin and Old French.

Usage tips

  • Spanish also uses catarata figuratively in phrases like una catarata de críticas to mean a torrent of something, so context indicates whether the meaning is literal or figurative.

Other meanings

  • cataractnoun

Word lists with this word