Spanish Conversation · Level 159
30 words
Spanish word
rajar
Pronunciation
IPA/raˈxaɾ/
Meaning
- verbsplit open
Example
El leñador raja el tronco con su hacha.
The woodcutter splits open the log with his axe.
More examples
Se le rajó la ropa al sentarse.
The clothes ripped when he sat down.
Core concept
A long open crack running through a surface.
Common phrases
rajar la ropa
rip the clothes
rajar los pantalones
rip the pants
Similar words
criticar: Expresses disapproval by highlighting someone's real faults or errors in conduct.
chismear: Discusses other people's personal matters as gossip, usually informally.
difamar: Damages someone's standing by circulating false statements about them.
Definition in Spanish
Decir cosas negativas o criticar a alguien (rajar de alguien); en sentido literal, partir o hender algo formando una raja.
Word origin
From the noun raja 'split, crack', rajar originally refers to the literal act of splitting and by metaphor comes to mean speaking negatively about someone.
Usage tips
- Commonly used as rajar de alguien 'to badmouth someone', the verb is informal and often avoided in formal writing while the reflexive rajarse means 'to chicken out' so context decides the meaning.