rajar
“rajar” means “to split” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
to split
Also: to crack, to slice
📝 In Action
Tuvimos que rajar la leña para la chimenea.
B1We had to split the firewood for the fireplace.
El frío intenso rajó la superficie del suelo.
B2The intense cold cracked the surface of the ground.
Raja la sandía por la mitad, por favor.
A2Slice the watermelon in half, please.
to badmouth
Also: to talk trash, to gossip
📝 In Action
Ellos siempre están rajando de todo el mundo.
B1They are always badmouthing everyone.
No me gusta que rajes de tu hermano delante de mí.
B2I don't like it when you talk trash about your brother in front of me.
Se pasaron toda la cena rajando del jefe.
B2They spent the whole dinner badmouthing the boss.
to back out
Also: to chicken out
📝 In Action
Iba a saltar en paracaídas, pero al final se rajó.
B2He was going to skydive, but in the end he backed out.
¡No te rajes ahora que estamos por llegar!
B2Don't chicken out now that we're almost there!
Si te rajas, perderás el depósito del viaje.
B2If you back out, you'll lose the trip deposit.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: rajar
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence means 'He badmouthed his boss'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Late Latin word 'radiare', which meant to emit rays or lines. Over time, it came to describe making lines or splits in a solid surface.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'rajar' a rude word?
Not inherently. In its physical sense (splitting wood), it's totally neutral. In the sense of badmouthing or chickening out, it's very informal slang, but not usually considered a 'curse' word.
What is the difference between 'rajar' and 'romper'?
'Romper' is the general word for 'to break' into pieces. 'Rajar' specifically means to split or crack something longways, often while it remains in one piece.
Does 'rajar' mean the same thing in every country?
The physical meaning is the same everywhere. However, using it for 'gossiping' is most common in Spain, while using 'rajarse' for 'chickening out' is iconic in Mexico.