estrato
“estrato” means “layer” in Spanish (social or physical levels).
layer, stratum
Also: class, stratus
📝 In Action
Esta ley beneficia a los estratos más pobres de la población.
B2This law benefits the poorest layers (strata) of the population.
El arqueólogo encontró restos antiguos en el tercer estrato de la excavación.
C1The archaeologist found ancient remains in the third layer of the excavation.
Hoy el cielo está cubierto por un estrato gris.
C2Today the sky is covered by a gray stratus cloud.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: estrato
Question 1 of 3
If a sociologist is talking about different 'estratos', what are they likely discussing?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'stratum', which refers to something spread out, like a bed-cover or a layer of material.
First recorded: 17th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'estrato' the same as 'clase social'?
They are very similar. 'Clase social' is more common in everyday speech, while 'estrato' is more technical and often used in statistics and official documents.
Can I use 'estrato' to talk about layers of a cake?
Technically yes, but it sounds very scientific. For food or clothing, it is much more natural to use the word 'capa'.
What is 'estratificación'?
It is the process of dividing something into layers or levels, whether it's society, soil, or data.