barricada
“barricada” means “barricade” in Spanish (a physical barrier used for defense or to block passage).
barricade
Also: barrier
📝 In Action
Los manifestantes construyeron una barricada en el centro de la ciudad.
B1The protesters built a barricade in the city center.
La calle estaba bloqueada por una barricada de coches viejos.
A2The street was blocked by a barricade of old cars.
En política, a veces parece que estamos en lados opuestos de la barricada.
C1In politics, sometimes it seems like we are on opposite sides of the barricade.
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Quick Quiz: barricada
Question 1 of 3
What is the origin of the word 'barricada'?
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👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the French word 'barricade', which comes from 'barrique' (barrel). This is because the first barricades in historical protests were often made by filling large barrels with stones and earth.
First recorded: 17th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'barricada' only used for war?
No, it is very commonly used to describe obstructions during street protests or even figuratively to describe ideological divisions.
Does 'barricada' have a masculine form?
No, 'barricada' is always feminine. There is no 'barricado'.
What's the difference between 'barrera' and 'barricada'?
A 'barrera' is any general barrier (like a fence or a toll gate), while a 'barricada' usually implies an improvised or defensive wall made of various materials.