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rasgo

RAHS-go/ˈrasɡo/

“rasgo” means “feature” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

feature, trait

Also: characteristic, quality
NounmB1
A close-up of a smiling face highlighting a prominent dimple on the cheek.

📝 In Action

Sus rasgos faciales son muy marcados.

B1

His facial features are very prominent.

La honestidad es su rasgo más admirable.

B1

Honesty is her most admirable trait.

Podemos identificar este estilo por sus rasgos minimalistas.

B2

We can identify this style by its minimalist characteristics.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • característica (characteristic)
  • facción (facial feature)
  • atributo (attribute)

Common Collocations

  • rasgos faciales – facial features
  • rasgos distintivos – distinctive traits
  • rasgos de personalidad – personality traits

Idioms & Expressions

  • a grandes rasgos – in broad strokes / generally speaking

stroke, dash

Also: flourish
NounmC1
A thick, elegant swoosh of blue paint made by a single brush movement.

📝 In Action

La firma tiene rasgos muy elegantes.

C1

The signature has very elegant strokes.

Con unos pocos rasgos, el artista dibujó su cara.

C2

With just a few strokes, the artist drew his face.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • trazo (stroke/line)
  • línea (line)

Common Collocations

  • rasgo de pluma – stroke of a pen
  • rasgos caligráficos – calligraphic strokes

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: rasgo

Question 1 of 3

What does the expression 'a grandes rasgos' mean?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
rasgar(to tear/to rip) — Verb
rasgueo(strumming (on a guitar)) — Noun
rasgón(a large tear in fabric) — Noun
rasguño(a scratch) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the verb 'rasgar' (to tear or scratch), which comes from Latin 'rasicare' (to scrape), ultimately related to 'radere' (to shave or scrape). The connection is the idea of a 'mark' left behind.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: traçoItalian: tratto

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'rasgo' the same as 'característica'?

They are very similar, but 'rasgo' is more commonly used for human personality or physical looks, while 'característica' can be used for any object or technical detail.

Can I use 'rasgo' for a scar?

No, for a scar you should use 'cicatriz'. 'Rasgo' refers to natural features or lines, not injuries.

How do I say 'facial features' in Spanish?

The most common way is 'rasgos faciales'.