Spanish Conversation · Level 140
44 words
Spanish word
rozar
Pronunciation
IPA/roˈθaɾ/
Meaning
- verbgraze
Example
El coche rozó el árbol.
The car grazed the tree.
More examples
El bolso rozó la esquina de la mesa.
The bag grazed the corner of the table.
Core concept
A very slight contact or near miss between two objects.
Common phrases
rozar la ropa
graze clothing
rozar la esquina
graze the corner
rozar la cabeza
graze the head
Similar words
tocar: General physical contact with a surface or thing, regardless of force or duration.
pasar: Going past or by a place or object, typically moving near it rather than stopping.
chocar: A forceful collision that produces a clear impact or sudden jolt.
Definition in Spanish
Entrar en contacto muy leve con algo o pasar tan cerca que solo hay un roce; puede usarse también en sentido figurado para indicar que algo casi sucede.
Word origin
From the noun roce 'friction, contact' and medieval roçar/rocer plus -ar, the verb narrows from 'to rub' to signify grazing or barely touching.
Usage tips
- When the contact is clear or forceful, tocar or chocar are the expected verbs, because rozar emphasizes minimal contact or a close call.