cañón
/kah-NYON/
cannon
This image shows a classic cañón (cannon), an artillery weapon.
📝 In Action
En el castillo aún quedan varios cañones antiguos.
B1There are still several old cannons left in the castle.
El cañón disparó una bola de hierro.
B1The cannon fired an iron ball.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun
Remember that 'cañón' is a masculine word, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Historical Context
This meaning is most often used when discussing historical battles, pirates, or old fortifications.
The word cañón also refers to a large geological feature like this deep gorge or canyon.
📝 In Action
Fuimos de excursión al cañón del río durante el verano.
B1We went hiking in the river canyon during the summer.
El cañón tiene paredes muy empinadas y profundas.
B2The canyon has very steep and deep walls.
⭐ Usage Tips
Nature Descriptions
Use 'cañón' when describing large, impressive natural formations carved out by water or erosion.
In Spanish slang, cañón describes something as awesome or excellent, like winning a gold medal.
📝 In Action
¡Qué cañón está tu coche nuevo!
C1Your new car is so cool/awesome!
La película que vimos anoche fue cañón.
C1The movie we saw last night was great.
Esa canción es cañón, la estoy escuchando sin parar.
C1That song is awesome, I'm listening to it non-stop.
💡 Grammar Points
Use as Adjective
In this slang usage, 'cañón' usually follows the verb 'estar' or 'ser' (to be) and describes a noun, meaning 'excellent' or 'impressive'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using it outside of Spain
Mistake: "Using 'cañón' as slang in Latin American countries."
Correction: This usage is specific to Spain. In Latin America, people might understand the literal meaning but not the slang. Use 'chévere' or 'bacán' instead.
⭐ Usage Tips
Intensifier
You can use this meaning to emphasize how much you like something. It's often preceded by 'qué' (e.g., ¡Qué cañón!).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cañón
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'cañón' in its slang meaning (awesome/cool)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the slang meaning of 'cañón' used everywhere in the Spanish-speaking world?
No. The slang usage of 'cañón' meaning 'awesome' or 'great' is very specific to Spain. If you use it in Mexico or Argentina, for example, people will likely only understand the literal meanings (canyon or cannon).
Does 'cañón' ever refer to the tube part of an object, like a pipe or a barrel?
Yes, 'cañón' is often used neutrally to describe the barrel of a gun (el cañón del rifle) or the spout of a faucet, reflecting its original meaning as a large tube.