hoyo
“hoyo” means “hole” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
hole, pit
Also: hollow, crater
📝 In Action
Tuvimos que esquivar un hoyo enorme en la carretera.
A2We had to swerve to avoid an enormous hole in the road (pothole).
El perro estaba cavando un hoyo para esconder su hueso.
A1The dog was digging a hole to hide its bone.
Hay que tapar el hoyo antes de que alguien se caiga.
A2We must cover the hole before someone falls in.
hole
Also: green
📝 In Action
Hizo un 'hole in one' en el hoyo 18.
B1He got a 'hole in one' on the 18th hole.
Solo nos quedan tres hoyos para terminar el partido.
B1We only have three holes left to finish the game.
deficit, mess
Also: gap
📝 In Action
La empresa está en un hoyo financiero muy profundo.
B2The company is in a very deep financial hole (deficit).
Intentamos salir del hoyo después de la crisis.
C1We tried to get out of the mess/hole after the crisis.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: hoyo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'hoyo' in its figurative sense?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the older Spanish word 'foyo' (which is related to the verb 'follar,' meaning to dig). This ultimately traces back to the Latin word *fovea*, which meant 'pit' or 'trap.' The 'f' sound often changed to an 'h' sound in Spanish over time, leading to 'hoyo.'
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'hoyo' different from 'agujero'?
'Hoyo' usually means a large depression or pit, especially in the ground (like a pothole or a hole you dig). 'Agujero' means a smaller hole, often one that goes completely through something, like a hole in cloth or a wall.
Is 'hoyo' used for the golf course itself?
Yes. In golf, 'hoyo' can refer to the small cup where the ball lands, or the entire segment of the course—the 18th hole, for example.