Spanish Conversation · Level 33
75 words
Spanish word
foso
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈfoso/
Meaning
- masculine nounditch
Example
Cuidado con el foso en la acera.
Watch out for the ditch on the sidewalk.
More examples
Tras la lluvia apareció un foso de drenaje junto a la carretera.
After the rain, a drainage ditch appeared next to the road.
Core concept
Long narrow trench beside a road or sidewalk for drainage.
Common phrases
foso de drenaje
drainage ditch
Similar words
agujero: Hole in an object or the ground, usually a simple round or irregular opening.
hoyo: Shallow depression or hollow in the ground, often rounded and not very deep.
zanja: Long, deep trench dug for construction, utilities, or earthmoving.
cuneta: Narrow channel at the roadside edge that carries rainwater away.
Definition in Spanish
Abertura excavada en el suelo, más estrecha y a menudo más profunda que un hoyo, usada para defensa, drenaje o trabajos de obra.
Word origin
From Latin fossa 'ditch', via the past participle fossus from fodere 'to dig', which developed into Spanish foso.
Usage tips
- When foso refers to drainage, speakers often name the location (for example, 'foso junto a la acera') to make the meaning clear.
Other meanings
- moatnoun
- trenchnoun
- pitnoun
Opposites
- montículomoundnoun