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barra

BAH-rrah (Roll the 'rr' sound strongly)ˈba.rra

bar, pub/bar

Also: counter
NounfA1
A depiction of a wooden service counter with three empty stools, representing a bar.

📝 In Action

Pedimos dos cervezas directamente en la barra.

A1

We ordered two beers directly at the bar counter.

No encontramos mesa, así que comimos en la barra.

A2

We couldn't find a table, so we ate at the counter.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • sentarse en la barra – to sit at the bar
  • barra libre – open bar (free drinks)

rod, bar

Also: rail, crowbar
NounfA2
A close-up view of a single, straight, polished metal rod.

📝 In Action

El ladrón usó una barra de hierro para abrir la caja fuerte.

B1

The thief used an iron bar to open the safe.

Compramos una barra de pan integral.

A2

We bought a loaf of whole wheat bread. (A long, stick-like loaf)

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • palo (stick)
  • varilla (thin rod)

Common Collocations

  • barra de labios – lipstick (literally: bar of lips)
  • barra de chocolate – chocolate bar

slash, bar

Also: separator
NounfB1neutral/technical
A thick black line running diagonally across a bright yellow background.

📝 In Action

Recuerda usar la barra inclinada en la dirección web.

B1

Remember to use the forward slash in the web address.

La barra de herramientas está oculta.

B1

The toolbar is hidden.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • barra espaciadora – space bar (on a keyboard)
  • barra lateral – sidebar

fan club, cheering section

NounfB2informal
Latin America
Three people dressed in matching red and white attire cheering loudly and enthusiastically, representing a fan club.

📝 In Action

La barra del equipo local no dejó de cantar en todo el partido.

B2

The local team's supporters group didn't stop singing the entire game.

La 'barra brava' fue expulsada del estadio por problemas.

C1

The 'hooligans' (aggressive fan group) were expelled from the stadium for causing trouble.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • afición (fan base)
  • hinchada (supporters (Latin America))

Common Collocations

  • barra brava – hooligans / aggressive fan group

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: barra

Question 1 of 2

Which meaning of 'barra' is used in the sentence: 'La barra de chocolate se derritió con el calor.'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
barrote(rail/spindle (small bar)) — Noun
barrera(barrier/fence) — Noun
embarrar(to smear/to muddy (related to the idea of covering a surface)) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
jarraparra
📚 Etymology▼

From Vulgar Latin *barra, likely originating from a pre-Roman word referring to a piece of wood or a fence. It came to Spanish around the 12th century, retaining the core meaning of a 'long, rigid piece'.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: barreItalian: barraEnglish: bar

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'barra' related to 'bar' (the place)?

Yes, 'la barra' is the counter inside the establishment. While the place itself is usually called 'el bar' (a masculine noun borrowed from English/French), the counter is the original Spanish 'la barra'.

How do I know if 'barra' refers to a fan club or a counter?

Context is key. If you are talking about a soccer match or a stadium, it means the fan group (especially in Latin America). If you are talking about drinks or food, it means the counter.