Spanish Conversation · Level 197
15 words
Spanish word
represa
Pronunciation
IPA/reˈpɾesa/
Meaning
- feminine noundam
Example
La represa detiene el agua del río.
The dam holds back the river's water.
More examples
En verano muchas familias pasan el día cerca de la represa.
In summer many families spend the day near the dam.
Core concept
Barrier that holds back river flow to create and regulate a reservoir for agriculture, urban supply, or power.
Common phrases
ir a la represa
go to the dam
cerca de la represa
near the dam
el agua de la represa
the water from the dam
Similar words
presa: Structure that obstructs river flow and raises upstream water level.
embalse: Body of water held behind a dam, a reservoir where dammed water accumulates.
Definition in Spanish
Estructura hidráulica que frena el paso del agua en un cauce para formar y regular un depósito de agua con fines agrícolas, urbanos o energéticos.
Word origin
Formed from the prefix re- plus presa, with presa ultimately from Latin pressa (related to premere 'to press'), represa conveys the idea of a built barrier that presses back and retains water.
Usage tips
- Spanish speakers contrast represa with embalse or reservorio (the stored water) and add tags like represa para riego or represa hidroeléctrica to specify scale and use.
Other meanings
- weirnoun
- reservoirnoun
Related words
- represadodammedadjective