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raíces

rah-EE-ses/raˈi.ses/

“raíces” means “roots” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

roots

Also: root system
NounfA2
Thick, exposed tree roots emerge from the base of a trunk and spread into the dark earth, showing the underground structure of a plant.

📝 In Action

Las raíces del árbol crecieron debajo de la acera.

A2

The roots of the tree grew under the sidewalk.

Es importante regar las raíces para que la flor viva.

A1

It is important to water the roots so the flower lives.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • raíces profundas – deep roots
  • cortar las raíces – to cut the roots

roots

Also: origins
NounfB1
A charming, small wooden house with a red roof stands on a grassy hill, with stylized, thick roots visibly anchoring the house into the ground, symbolizing heritage.

📝 In Action

Ella está orgullosa de sus raíces mexicanas.

B1

She is proud of her Mexican roots.

El viaje fue una oportunidad para conectar con sus raíces familiares.

B2

The trip was an opportunity to connect with his family roots.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • orígenes (origins)
  • patria (homeland)

Common Collocations

  • raíces culturales – cultural roots
  • perder las raíces – to lose touch with one's roots

Idioms & Expressions

  • echar raíces – to settle down permanently; to make a place one's home

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "raíces" in Spanish:

root system→roots→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: raíces

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'raíces' in its figurative meaning?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
raíz(root (singular)) — Noun
arraigar(to take root, to establish oneself) — Verb
desarraigo(uprootedness, displacement) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin word *radix*, which means 'root' or 'base.' The shift from *radix* to *raíz* and its plural *raíces* reflects a common pattern in the development of Spanish from Latin.

First recorded: Documented usage of the root word 'raíz' appeared in Spanish texts around the 13th century.

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: raízesFrench: racines

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the plural form 'raíces' used so often?

While the singular 'raíz' is used for a single physical root (like in math), the plural 'raíces' is used for most general concepts, especially for the figurative meaning of heritage or cultural background. It implies a collection of origins.

How do I pronounce the 'c' in 'raíces'?

In most of Latin America, the 'c' sounds like an 's' (rah-EE-ses). In Spain, the 'c' sounds like the 'th' in 'thin' (rah-EE-thes).