Inklingo
← Dictionary

casta

kahs-tah/ˈkasta/

lineage, breed

Also: mettle, spirit
NounfB2
Spain
A large, sturdy oak tree with deep, visible roots and many branches spread out against a soft blue sky.

📝 In Action

Ese caballo es de buena casta.

A2

That horse is of a good breed.

Le viene de casta ser tan valiente; su abuelo era igual.

B1

Being so brave runs in his blood; his grandfather was the same.

El equipo perdió, pero demostró tener mucha casta.

B2

The team lost, but they showed a lot of spirit and grit.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • linaje (lineage)
  • estirpe (stock/ancestry)
  • coraje (courage/grit)

Antonyms

  • cobardía (cowardice)

Common Collocations

  • venirle de casta – to run in the family
  • tener casta – to have grit/spirit
  • pura casta – pure bred / true character

Idioms & Expressions

  • Al perro flaco, todo se le vuelven pulgas y mala casta – When things go wrong, they go wrong all at once

the establishment, caste

Also: ruling class
NounfC1informal
A group of people wearing ornate gold crowns and velvet robes sitting at a long table with a feast.

📝 In Action

Los manifestantes gritaban contra la casta política.

B2

The protesters were shouting against the political establishment.

Se refiere a ellos como 'la casta' porque cree que solo buscan su propio beneficio.

C1

He refers to them as 'the caste' because he believes they only look out for their own benefit.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • élite (elite)
  • oligarquía (oligarchy)

Common Collocations

  • casta política – political establishment
  • sistema de castas – caste system

chaste

Also: pure
AdjectivefC2formal
A single white lily flower standing tall in a clean glass vase on a plain wooden table.

📝 In Action

Llevaba una vida casta y dedicada a la oración.

C1

She led a chaste life dedicated to prayer.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • pura (pure)
  • virtuosa (virtuous)

Antonyms

  • impura (impure)
  • lasciva (lustful)

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: casta

Question 1 of 3

If a Spanish soccer commentator says a player has 'mucha casta,' what do they mean?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
castidad(chastity) — Noun
castizo(pure/authentic) — Adjective
encastar(to breed) — Verb
casto(chaste (masculine)) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'castus,' meaning 'pure' or 'cut off.' In the 15th century, the Portuguese used it to describe 'pure breeds' of animals, which then entered Spanish and eventually referred to social classes and lineages.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: castePortuguese: casta

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'casta' the same as 'cast' in English?

Usually no. 'Casta' means lineage or establishment. For a movie cast, use 'reparto' or 'elenco.' However, they both come from a root meaning 'to cut' or 'arrange.'

Is 'casta' a bad word?

Not inherently, but in politics, it is used as an insult or a way to criticize those in power. When used for animals or family lineage, it is a neutral or even positive term.

How is it different from 'raza' (race)?

While 'raza' refers to biological race or a specific breed, 'casta' implies the quality, character, or pedigree that comes with that lineage.