excavación
“excavación” means “excavation” in Spanish (the act of digging or a site being dug).
excavation
Also: dig, digging
📝 In Action
La excavación reveló una ciudad antigua bajo la tierra.
B1The excavation revealed an ancient city beneath the ground.
Ten cuidado cerca de la excavación en la zona de obras.
A2Be careful near the dig at the construction site.
Los trabajos de excavación comenzarán el próximo lunes.
B2The excavation work will start next Monday.
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Quick Quiz: excavación
Question 1 of 3
Which article is correct for 'excavación'?
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👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'excavatio,' which comes from 'excavare.' This is a combination of 'ex-' (out) and 'cavus' (hollow), essentially meaning 'to make a hollow space.'
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'excavación' only for archaeology?
No, it is used equally for construction (digging foundations for a building) and geology (natural hollows or mining).
What is the difference between 'cavar' and 'excavar'?
'Cavar' is the basic word for 'to dig' (like digging a small hole). 'Excavar' is slightly more formal or technical, usually involving a planned project or larger scale.
How do you pronounce the 'x' in 'excavación'?
It sounds like the 'ks' in 'tax'. In some fast speech, it might sound like a soft 's', but 'ks' is the standard clear pronunciation.