Spanish Conversation · Level 39
74 words
Spanish word
ruina
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈrwina/
Meaning
- feminine nounruin
Example
Caminamos entre las ruinas del templo.
We walked among the ruins of the temple.
More examples
El edificio quedó en ruinas tras el terremoto.
The building was left in ruins after the earthquake.
Core concept
Pile of broken masonry beneath a toppled arch.
Common phrases
las ruinas arqueológicas
archaeological ruins
visitar las ruinas
visit the ruins
estar en ruinas
be in ruins
Similar words
resto: Remaining part or fragment of a once-whole building or object.
escombro: Loose rubble and broken fragments produced by a collapsed or demolished structure.
Definition in Spanish
Estado de pérdida total, como la quiebra o la caída de una reputación; también se usa para los restos físicos de edificios destruidos.
Word origin
Derived from Latin ruīna, related to the verb ruere 'to rush down or collapse', the word originally described collapsed structures and later came to mean financial ruin or decline.
Usage tips
- In colloquial Spanish, decir que algo 'es una ruina' often means it is in very poor condition, whereas hablar de 'las ruinas' signals actual ruined structures or archaeological remains.
Other meanings
- bankruptcynoun
- declinenoun
Opposites
- restauraciónrestorationnoun
- prosperidadprosperitynoun
Related words
- arruinarruinverb
- ruinosoruinousadjective
- arruinamientoruinationnoun