rancho
/rran-choh/
ranch
Rancho: A large ranch for raising livestock.
rancho(noun)
ranch
?large farm, especially for livestock
estate
?large rural property
,farm
?large agricultural land
📝 In Action
Mi tío cría caballos en su rancho cerca de Monterrey.
B1My uncle raises horses on his ranch near Monterrey.
Pasamos el fin de semana en un rancho turístico con mucha historia.
B2We spent the weekend at a historical tourist estate.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun Rule
'Rancho' is always masculine, so you always use 'el rancho' or 'un rancho', never 'la' or 'una'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Cultural Context
In many parts of Mexico and the US Southwest, 'rancho' often evokes a sense of tradition, family heritage, and rural lifestyle.
Rancho: A simple, rustic hut or dwelling.
📝 In Action
Construyeron un rancho de paja y barro cerca de la playa.
A2They built a straw and mud hut near the beach.
El viejo vivía solo en su rancho, lejos del pueblo.
B1The old man lived alone in his shack, far from the town.
⭐ Usage Tips
Meaning Shift
Notice how 'rancho' can mean either a huge, wealthy property (Definition 1) or a small, humble dwelling (Definition 2). Context is key!
Rancho: A mess hall or communal dining area for large groups.
rancho(noun)
mess hall
?dining area for large groups (military/camp)
basic meal
?simple food served to a group
,camp
?temporary lodging for workers or soldiers
📝 In Action
El rancho militar era básico, pero la comida era abundante.
B2The military mess hall was basic, but the food was plentiful.
Nos sirvieron rancho frío después del largo entrenamiento.
C1They served us cold basic rations after the long training.
⭐ Usage Tips
Military Use
If you hear 'rancho' in a military or scouting context, it almost certainly refers to the dining area or the food itself, not a large property.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: rancho
Question 1 of 2
If someone says, 'El rancho que comimos hoy no estaba muy bueno,' what are they most likely complaining about?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the English word 'ranch' related to the Spanish 'rancho'?
Yes! The English word 'ranch' is a direct borrowing from the Spanish 'rancho.' It came into English usage in the American West, where Spanish influence was strongest, and specifically adopted the meaning of a large livestock farm.
Why does 'rancho' have such different meanings (a huge farm and a small shack)?
The core idea of 'rancho' is a dwelling or camp outside of a city. Depending on the region and the time period, this 'camp' developed into either a large, formalized estate (Mexico) or remained a description for a simple, temporary, or rustic home (parts of South America).