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barras

BAH-rrasˈbaras

bars, counter

Also: railings, ingots
NounfA1
Spain
A close-up view of four vertical, gray metal bars forming a simple cage or railing, emphasizing the parallel structure.

📝 In Action

Las barras de la jaula eran de acero.

A1

The bars of the cage were made of steel.

Siempre desayunamos en la barra de la cafetería.

A1

We always have breakfast at the café counter.

Necesitas dos barras de chocolate para esta receta.

A2

You need two bars of chocolate for this recipe.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • barras de pan – loaves of bread (usually baguettes)
  • barras de seguridad – safety bars

measures, parallel bars

Also: toolbar, money
NounfB1
A simple depiction of a musical staff showing five horizontal lines. Two prominent vertical bar lines divide the staff into distinct sections, illustrating musical measures.

📝 In Action

El ejercicio de gimnasia requiere mucha fuerza en las barras.

B1

The gymnastics routine requires a lot of strength on the bars.

Esta canción tiene 32 barras en el coro.

B2

This song has 32 measures in the chorus.

Actualiza la página y verás la barra de progreso.

B1

Refresh the page and you will see the progress bar.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • barras asimétricas – uneven bars (gymnastics)
  • barra de sonido – soundbar

you smear, you block

Also: you mud
VerbB2regular ar
A gloved hand actively using a wide, flat tool to spread a thick layer of bright red mud or paint horizontally across a light brown surface, illustrating the action of smearing.
past Participlebarrado
infinitivebarrar
gerundbarrando

📝 In Action

Si pones eso ahí, tú barras el paso a la gente.

B2

If you put that there, you block the path for people.

¿Por qué barras la puerta con esa pintura?

C1

Why are you smearing the door with that paint?

Word Connections

Synonyms

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

imperfect

él/ella/ustedbarraba
túbarrabas
vosotrosbarrabais
yobarraba
ellos/ellas/ustedesbarraban
nosotrosbarrábamos

present

él/ella/ustedbarra
túbarras
vosotrosbarráis
yobarro
ellos/ellas/ustedesbarran
nosotrosbarramos

preterite

él/ella/ustedbarró
túbarraste
vosotrosbarrasteis
yobarré
ellos/ellas/ustedesbarraron
nosotrosbarramos

subjunctive

imperfect

él/ella/ustedbarrara / barrase
túbarraras / barrases
vosotrosbarrarais / barraseis
yobarrara / barrase
ellos/ellas/ustedesbarraran / barrasen
nosotrosbarráramos / barrásemos

present

él/ella/ustedbarre
túbarres
vosotrosbarréis
yobarre
ellos/ellas/ustedesbarren
nosotrosbarremos
View All Tenses & Moods →

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: barras

Question 1 of 2

Which meaning of 'barras' is used when talking about fitness equipment?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Late Latin *barra*, which meant 'barrier' or 'rod.' This root is also the source of the English word 'bar.'

First recorded: 12th century (as 'barra')

Cognates (Related words)

French: barrePortuguese: barra

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'barras' related to 'barrer' (to sweep)?

They look similar, but they come from different roots. 'Barras' (noun, plural of 'barra') means 'rods' or 'counter.' The verb 'barras' means 'you block/smear.' 'Barrer' means 'to sweep,' and its tú form is 'barres' (with an 'e').

How do I say 'chocolate bar'?

You would typically say 'una barra de chocolate.' If you mean a small candy bar, you might use 'chocolatina' or 'tableta' depending on the region.