gritos
/GREE-tohs/
shouts
The noun 'gritos' translates to 'shouts,' representing loud, vocal expressions.
gritos(noun)
shouts
?loud, vocal expressions
,screams
?piercing, high-pitched cries
yells
?informal
,cries
?used for expressions of pain or joy
📝 In Action
Los gritos de los niños se oían desde la calle.
A1The shouts of the children could be heard from the street.
Hubo gritos de alegría cuando el equipo ganó el campeonato.
A2There were screams of joy when the team won the championship.
Sus gritos de auxilio alertaron a los vecinos.
B1Her cries for help alerted the neighbors.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural
Since 'gritos' is the plural of 'grito', you always use plural forms with it (e.g., 'los gritos', 'muchos gritos').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong article
Mistake: "La gritos son fuertes."
Correction: Los gritos son fuertes. (Remember, 'gritos' is a masculine noun.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Emotional Intensity
Use 'gritos' to describe sounds related to strong emotions, whether positive (joy, excitement) or negative (fear, anger, pain).
When used adverbially, 'gritos' can mean 'loudly,' describing the manner in which someone is speaking or acting.
gritos(adverb)
loudly
?speaking or acting with a loud voice
,yelling
?manner of communication
shouting
?describing the volume of voice
📝 In Action
No podemos hablar a gritos en la biblioteca.
B1We can't talk loudly/yelling in the library.
Me dijo a gritos que me fuera.
B1He told me, yelling, to leave.
Parece que la casa está pintada a gritos.
C1It seems like the house is painted terribly/loudly. (Figurative: glaringly, poorly done)
💡 Grammar Points
The 'A' Connection
When 'gritos' is used to mean 'loudly,' it almost always follows the preposition 'a' (a gritos). This structure turns the noun into a way of describing an action.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Omitting the preposition
Mistake: "Me habló gritos."
Correction: Me habló a gritos. (The 'a' is essential to form the adverbial phrase.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Implied Anger or Urgency
Using 'a gritos' usually implies that the speaker is angry, frustrated, or speaking in a very urgent, uncontrolled manner, unlike the more neutral 'en voz alta' (out loud).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: gritos
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'gritos' to describe the *manner* of speaking?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'gritos' and 'grito'?
'Gritos' is the plural form, meaning 'shouts' or 'screams' (more than one). 'Grito' is the singular form, meaning 'a shout' or 'a scream' (just one).
Can 'gritos' be used figuratively?
Yes! The phrase 'estar a gritos' or 'pintado a gritos' is a common idiom meaning something is glaringly obvious or done in terrible, loud taste (like wearing clashing colors). For example, 'Esa corbata está a gritos' (That tie is hideous/glaring).