Inklingo
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cañones

/kah-NYOH-nes/

cannons

A simple, colorful illustration of a large, antique black cannon resting on a grassy field, ready to fire.

Cañones as in 'cannons,' referring to artillery weapons.

cañones(noun)

mB1

cannons

?

artillery weapons

Also:

guns

?

large mounted firearms

,

artillery pieces

?

military equipment

📝 In Action

Los cañones antiguos del castillo todavía miran hacia el mar.

B1

The old cannons of the castle still face the sea.

El barco de guerra encendió sus cañones contra el enemigo.

B2

The warship fired its cannons against the enemy.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • piezas de artillería (artillery pieces)

Common Collocations

  • disparar los cañones – to fire the cannons

💡 Grammar Points

Plural Noun

Remember that 'cañones' is the masculine plural form. To talk about a single one, use 'el cañón'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Gender Confusion

Mistake: "La cañones"

Correction: Use the masculine article 'los': Los cañones. All words ending in -ón are generally masculine.

A sweeping view of a massive, deep canyon with steep, stratified red rock walls under a bright blue sky.

Cañones as in 'canyons,' referring to large, deep gorges.

cañones(noun)

mB1

canyons

?

deep gorges

Also:

gorges

?

narrow valleys

📝 In Action

Los cañones del río Colorado son impresionantes.

A2

The canyons of the Colorado River are stunning.

Haremos senderismo por los cañones más profundos de la sierra.

B1

We will hike through the deepest gorges in the mountain range.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • barrancos (ravines)
  • gargantas (gorges)

Common Collocations

  • cañones naturales – natural canyons

⭐ Usage Tips

Context Clues

If you are talking about nature, 'cañones' almost certainly means 'canyons.' If you are talking about history or war, it means 'cannons.'

Three small, clear shot glasses lined up on a wooden bar counter, each filled with a distinct clear or amber liquid.

Cañones as in 'shots,' referring to small servings of alcohol.

cañones(noun)

mC1

shots

?

of alcohol

Also:

spirit measures

?

small amounts of liquor

📝 In Action

Nos tomamos unos cañones de ron después de cenar.

C1

We had a few shots of rum after dinner.

¿Pedimos dos cañones más antes de irnos?

C1

Shall we order two more shots before we go?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • chupitos (shots (general))

Common Collocations

  • pedir cañones – to order shots

❌ Common Pitfalls

Regional Use

Mistake: "Using 'cañones' for shots in Latin America."

Correction: This usage is specific to Spain. In most of Latin America, use 'chupitos' or 'tragos' for shots/drinks.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: cañones

Question 1 of 2

Which meaning of 'cañones' is most likely being used in the sentence: 'El guía nos llevó a ver los cañones de agua caliente.'

📚 More Resources

Word Family

cañón(cannon/canyon/pipe (singular)) - noun
cañonazo(cannon blast/big shot) - noun
cañonear(to bombard) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if 'cañones' means 'canyons' or 'cannons'?

The context is key! If you are talking about nature, geography, or hiking, it means 'canyons.' If you are talking about war, history, or military ships, it means 'cannons.' They are pronounced and spelled exactly the same.

Is 'cañones' related to the word 'caño'?

Yes, both words share the same root meaning 'tube' or 'pipe.' 'Caño' often refers to a smaller pipe, drain, or faucet, while 'cañón' refers to a much larger, more significant tube (like a weapon barrel or a deep valley).