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catarata

kah-tah-rah-tah/kataˈɾata/

waterfall

Also: cascade
NounfA2
A powerful waterfall cascading down a lush green cliff into a pool of blue water.

📝 In Action

Las cataratas del Niágara son impresionantes.

A1

Niagara Falls are impressive.

Escuchamos el ruido de la catarata desde el camino.

A2

We heard the noise of the waterfall from the path.

Hay una catarata escondida detrás de esos árboles.

B1

There is a waterfall hidden behind those trees.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cascada (cascade/small waterfall)
  • salto de agua (waterfall)

Antonyms

  • remanso (still water/backwater)

Common Collocations

  • cataratas impresionantes – impressive falls
  • caída de la catarata – the drop of the waterfall

cataract

NounfB2
A close-up illustration of a single eye with a cloudy, white-tinted pupil.

📝 In Action

Mi abuelo se operó de cataratas ayer.

B1

My grandfather had cataract surgery yesterday.

La visión borrosa puede ser un síntoma de catarata.

B2

Blurred vision can be a symptom of a cataract.

El cirujano extrajo la catarata con éxito.

C1

The surgeon successfully removed the cataract.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • operarse de cataratas – to have cataract surgery
  • tener cataratas – to have cataracts

deluge

Also: torrent
NounfC1formal
A heavy rainstorm with thick blue sheets of water falling from dark clouds.

📝 In Action

Recibió una catarata de críticas tras su discurso.

C1

He received a deluge of criticism after his speech.

Una catarata de aplausos inundó el teatro.

C1

A torrent of applause flooded the theater.

La noticia provocó una catarata de reacciones en redes sociales.

C2

The news sparked a flood of reactions on social media.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • aluvión (flood/avalanche)
  • torrente (torrent)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • una catarata de insultos – a flood of insults
  • una catarata de ideas – a torrent of ideas

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "catarata" in Spanish:

cascade→cataract→deluge→torrent→waterfall→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: catarata

Question 1 of 3

If you are visiting a huge, world-famous waterfall, what is the best term to use?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
cascada(small waterfall) — Noun
cataracta(cataract (archaic spelling)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Greek word 'katarraktēs', which means 'down-rushing'. It entered Spanish through the Latin 'cataracta'. Interestingly, it originally referred to a portcullis (a sliding gate) before it was used for waterfalls and eye obstructions.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: cataractFrench: cataracteItalian: cascata (related)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between 'cascada' and 'catarata'?

Yes. While both describe falling water, 'catarata' is usually much larger and more powerful. Think of a 'cascada' as a small, pretty fall in a creek and a 'catarata' as a massive landmark.

Why is the eye condition called the same thing as a waterfall?

The term comes from the ancient idea that the clouded vision looked like a 'down-rushing' of fluid or a 'gate' coming down over the pupil.

Is 'catarata' masculine or feminine?

It is always feminine ('la catarata'), regardless of which meaning you are using.