Inklingo
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lecho

/LE-cho/

bed

An ornate, elegant wooden bed with white silk sheets and soft pillows in a sunlit room.

In a formal or poetic sense, 'lecho' refers to a resting place or bed.

lecho(noun)

mB2

bed

?

formal or poetic resting place

Also:

deathbed

?

specifically referring to the final moments of life

📝 In Action

El guerrero descansaba en su lecho de piedra.

B2

The warrior rested on his stone bed.

El anciano se despidió de su familia en su lecho de muerte.

B2

The old man said goodbye to his family on his deathbed.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cama (bed (everyday use))
  • tálamo (wedding bed (highly formal))

Common Collocations

  • lecho de muerte – deathbed
  • lecho nupcial – marriage bed
  • lecho de rosas – bed of roses (an easy life)

Idioms & Expressions

  • No ser un lecho de rosas – To be difficult or full of problems

💡 Grammar Points

When to use 'Lecho' vs 'Cama'

Use 'cama' for the physical piece of furniture in your house. Use 'lecho' when you want to sound poetic, very formal, or when talking about historical or tragic contexts.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Avoid using 'lecho' for daily chores

Mistake: "Voy a hacer el lecho."

Correction: Voy a hacer la cama.

⭐ Usage Tips

Literary Flair

Using 'lecho' instead of 'cama' in a story immediately makes your writing feel more professional and sophisticated.

The sandy bottom of a clear blue river with smooth stones and small plants underwater.

'Lecho' also describes the bottom of a body of water, such as a riverbed.

lecho(noun)

mB2

bed

?

the bottom of a body of water

Also:

floor

?

ocean floor

📝 In Action

El lecho del río estaba cubierto de piedras lisas.

B2

The riverbed was covered with smooth stones.

Muchos tesoros se esconden en el lecho marino.

B2

Many treasures are hidden on the seabed.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cauce (riverbed/channel)
  • fondo (bottom)

Common Collocations

  • lecho del río – riverbed
  • lecho marino – seabed

⭐ Usage Tips

Natural Geography

In a scientific or nature context, 'lecho' is the precise word for the ground under the water.

A thick layer of golden straw spread across the floor of a wooden barn.

The word 'lecho' can refer to a layer of material, like straw, that serves as a base.

lecho(noun)

mC1

bed

?

a layer of material serving as a base

,

layer

?

a covering or foundation

📝 In Action

Sirve el pescado sobre un lecho de verduras.

C1

Serve the fish on a bed of vegetables.

Las semillas necesitan un lecho de tierra fértil.

C1

The seeds need a bed of fertile soil.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • capa (layer)
  • estrato (stratum/layer)

Common Collocations

  • un lecho de hojas – a bed of leaves

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: lecho

Question 1 of 2

If you are writing a formal poem about a king resting, which word is most appropriate?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

lechar(to produce milk (unrelated origin but similar spelling)) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'lecho' to mean a bed in a hotel?

Technically yes, but it would sound very strange. You should use 'cama' for any normal sleeping arrangement.

Is 'lecho' used in the plural?

Yes, 'lechos' exists, but it is much less common than the singular form unless describing multiple riverbeds.