cauce
“cauce” means “riverbed” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
riverbed, channel
Also: ditch
📝 In Action
Las piedras en el cauce del río son muy suaves.
A2The stones in the riverbed are very smooth.
El río se salió de su cauce tras la tormenta.
B1The river overflowed its bed after the storm.
Es necesario limpiar el cauce para evitar inundaciones.
B2It is necessary to clean the channel to prevent floods.
channel, course
Also: medium
📝 In Action
Debemos buscar un cauce legal para esta protesta.
C1We must find a legal channel for this protest.
La negociación volvió a su cauce normal tras el desacuerdo.
C1The negotiation returned to its normal course after the disagreement.
Esta asociación es el cauce para las quejas de los vecinos.
B2This association is the channel for the neighbors' complaints.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cauce
Question 1 of 3
If a river overflows because of heavy rain, people say it has left its...?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Derived from the Latin word 'calix', which referred to a cup, pipe, or channel for water.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cauce' the same as 'río'?
Not exactly. 'Río' is the river itself (the water and the land), while 'cauce' specifically refers to the ground or path the water flows over.
How do I avoid confusing 'cauce' and 'cause'?
Remember that 'cauce' (with a C) is a thing (a noun), like a channel. 'Cause' (with an S) is an action, part of the verb 'causar' (to cause).
Can 'cauce' be used for social media channels?
Usually no. For social media or TV, we use 'canal.' 'Cauce' is reserved for rivers or formal procedures/ways of doing things.