Spanish word

excavar

Pronunciation

IPA/ekskaˈβaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbdig

Example

Vamos a excavar un hoyo en el jardín.

We're going to dig a hole in the garden.

Illustration for excavar (dig)

More examples

Tuvieron que excavar para reparar la tubería rota.

They had to dig to repair the broken pipe.

Core concept

Removing soil to make a hole with tools.

Common phrases

  • excavar un hoyo

    dig a hole

  • excavar en el jardín

    dig in the garden

  • excavar una zanja

    dig a trench

Similar words

cavar: Digs soil to make a hole in casual, everyday situations.
desenterrar: Digs up objects buried underground to bring them to the surface.
sacar: Takes something out of a hole, box, or other container.
remover: Moves or clears soil or material aside to remove or loosen it.

Definition in Spanish

Remover tierra u otro material para crear un hueco o cavidad, generalmente con herramientas o con las manos.

Word origin

From Latin ex- 'out' plus cavare 'to hollow', literally 'hollow out' and thus used for digging.

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech native speakers often prefer cavar or hacer un hoyo for casual digging, while excavar appears in written, technical, archaeological, or construction contexts.

Other meanings

  • excavateverb
  • dig upverb

Opposites

Related words

  • excavaciónexcavationnoun
  • excavadorexcavatornoun
  • excavadoexcavatedadjective

Word lists with this word