ría
“ría” means “laugh” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
laugh
Also: might laugh
📝 In Action
Espero que ella se ría con mi regalo.
B1I hope she laughs at my gift.
Dudo que él se ría de ese chiste tan malo.
B1I doubt he'll laugh at that bad joke.
Mi médico quiere que yo me ría más para reducir el estrés.
B2My doctor wants me to laugh more to reduce stress.
estuary, inlet
📝 In Action
Las Rías Bajas de Galicia son famosas por sus paisajes.
B1The 'Rías Bajas' of Galicia are famous for their landscapes.
El agua de la ría es una mezcla de agua dulce y salada.
B2The water in the estuary is a mix of fresh and salt water.
Hay muchos barcos de pesca en la ría.
A2There are many fishing boats in the inlet.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ría
Question 1 of 3
If you are visiting the coast of Galicia and see a valley where the sea flows inland, you are looking at a:
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The noun 'ría' comes from the Latin 'rīvus' (stream/river), adapted to describe a coastal valley. The verb form comes from the Latin 'ridēre' (to laugh).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'río' and 'ría'?
A 'río' is a river flowing toward the sea. A 'ría' is a specific geographic feature where the sea has flooded a river valley, common in northern Spain.
Is 'ría' just the same as 'he laughs'?
No. 'He laughs' as a fact is 'él se ríe.' 'Ría' is used only in special cases like wishes ('I hope he laughs'), doubts, or commands.
Why does 'ría' have an accent mark?
The accent on the 'i' ensures that the 'i' and 'a' are pronounced as two separate syllables (REE-ah) rather than blending together.