arroyo
/ah-RO-yo/
stream
An arroyo is a small, natural stream of water.
arroyo(noun)
stream
?a small flow of water
brook
?small natural stream
,gutter
?the channel at the side of a street for rainwater
📝 In Action
Fuimos a caminar por la orilla del arroyo.
A2We went for a walk along the bank of the stream.
El agua del arroyo es muy clara y fresca.
A2The water in the brook is very clear and cool.
Después de la tormenta, el arroyo de la calle se inundó.
B1After the storm, the street gutter flooded.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Nouns in -o
Since this word ends in -o, it is masculine. You should use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el arroyo'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Arroyo vs. Río
Mistake: "Using 'río' for every body of flowing water."
Correction: Use 'arroyo' for small, shallow streams. Use 'río' for larger rivers like the Nile or the Amazon.
⭐ Usage Tips
Nature vs. City
In a forest, 'arroyo' is a beautiful stream. In a city context, it often refers to the part of the street where rainwater flows.
Arroyo can also mean the act of water cutting channels into the ground.
arroyo(verb)
I form streams
?referring to water cutting channels in the earth
I flood
?when water overflows
📝 In Action
Cuando llueve fuerte, yo arroyo la tierra del jardín para que el agua salga.
C2When it rains hard, I create channels in the garden soil so the water drains out.
💡 Grammar Points
A Rare Verb
The verb 'arroyar' comes from the noun 'arroyo'. It describes the action of water making those little paths in the dirt.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: arroyo
Question 1 of 2
If you are walking in the mountains and see a very small, narrow path of flowing water, you are looking at a/an:
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'arroyo' and 'arrollo'?
'Arroyo' (with a Y) is a noun meaning a small stream. 'Arrollo' (with LL) is a form of the verb 'arrollar', which means 'I run over' or 'I knock down' (like a car hitting something).
Is an 'arroyo' bigger than a 'río'?
No, an 'arroyo' is much smaller than a 'río' (river). Think of an arroyo as a creek or a brook.