presa
/PREH-sah/
prey
Presa as 'prey': The rabbit is the prey of the fox.
presa(noun)
prey
?animal hunted by another
victim
?figurative or metaphorical use
,quarry
?something pursued
📝 In Action
El águila localizó a su presa en el campo abierto.
B1The eagle located its prey in the open field.
El estafador siempre busca una presa fácil.
B2The con artist always looks for an easy victim (prey).
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Reminder
Even when referring to a male animal that is hunted, 'presa' remains feminine because the word itself is feminine.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Prey' and 'Predator'
Mistake: "Using 'presa' to mean the animal that hunts."
Correction: Remember 'presa' is the one captured or taken. The hunter is the 'depredador' (predator).
Presa as 'dam': A barrier constructed across a river to hold back water.
presa(noun)
dam
?barrier across a river
reservoir
?the water held back (less common, usually 'embalse')
📝 In Action
La construcción de la presa cambió el ecosistema del valle.
B2The construction of the dam changed the valley's ecosystem.
Tuvimos que cruzar la presa para llegar al otro lado del río.
B1We had to cross the dam to get to the other side of the river.
⭐ Usage Tips
Water Control Structures
While 'presa' is the large structure built to hold back water, 'dique' usually refers to a smaller wall or embankment (like a levee) used to prevent flooding.
Presa as 'piece' or 'portion': A piece of meat served on a dinner plate.
presa(noun)
piece
?portion of food, especially meat
cut
?specific cut of meat
,booty
?spoils (archaic/figurative)
📝 In Action
Pedimos dos presas de pollo y una porción de papas.
B1We ordered two pieces of chicken and a portion of fries.
La presa del cerdo ibérico es un corte muy apreciado en España.
C1The Iberian pork 'presa' (a specific cut) is a very appreciated cut in Spain.
⭐ Usage Tips
Culinary Use
When talking about food, 'presa' often refers to a specific, usually large, portion of meat that has been 'taken' or 'cut' from the whole animal.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: presa
Question 1 of 2
¿Cuál de estas oraciones usa 'presa' para hablar de ingeniería o geografía?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if 'presa' means 'dam' or 'prey'?
The context is key! If the sentence mentions rivers, water, or electricity generation, it means 'dam.' If it mentions animals, hunting, or fear, it means 'prey' or 'victim.' For example, 'la presa en el río' (the dam in the river) versus 'la presa del león' (the lion's prey).
Is 'presa' related to 'prisión' (prison)?
Yes, they share the same Latin root *prendere* (to seize/capture). A 'presa' is something seized, and a 'prisión' is where people who have been seized (arrested) are kept.