Inklingo
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red

rehd (like 'red' but with a softer 'd' sound)/reð/

net, netting

Also: mesh, web
NounfA1
A simple brown fishing net with a wooden handle, used for catching fish.

📝 In Action

Los pescadores lanzaron la red al mar.

A1

The fishermen threw the net into the sea.

Necesitas una red de seguridad si vas a escalar.

A2

You need a safety net if you are going to climb.

Ten cuidado con esa red de araña.

A1

Be careful with that spider web.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • red de pescar – fishing net
  • red de seguridad – safety net

network, web

Also: system, grid
NounfA2
Mexico
Three brightly colored circular nodes connected by glowing white lines, symbolizing a communication network.

📝 In Action

No tengo conexión a la red de wifi en el café.

A2

I don't have a connection to the wifi network in the cafe.

Las redes sociales han cambiado cómo interactuamos.

B1

Social networks have changed how we interact.

Madrid tiene una red de metro muy eficiente.

B1

Madrid has a very efficient subway network.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • internet (internet)
  • sistema (system)

Common Collocations

  • red social – social network
  • red eléctrica – electrical grid/network
  • la Red – the Internet (often capitalized)

goal net, net

Also: hoop (figurative)
NounfB1
A white mesh soccer goal net stretched over a frame on a green field.

📝 In Action

¡Gol! El delantero metió el balón en la red.

B1

Goal! The striker put the ball in the net.

La pelota rozó la red y cayó fuera.

B1

The ball scraped the net and fell out (of bounds).

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • portería (goal/goal post)

Common Collocations

  • tocar la red – to touch the net (in volleyball/tennis)

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: red

Question 1 of 2

Which meaning of 'red' is used when talking about global communication?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
redada(raid, roundup) — Noun
reticular(net-like) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes directly from the Latin word *rete*, which meant 'net' or 'snare.' This explains why all modern Spanish meanings relate to structures that capture, connect, or enclose.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: reteFrench: réseau

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'red' ever masculine?

No, 'red' is always a feminine noun (la red), regardless of which meaning you use. You might occasionally see it used incorrectly, but always remember to use 'la' or 'una'.

How do I distinguish between the physical net and the Internet meaning?

Context is key. If you see 'la Red' capitalized, it almost certainly means 'the Internet.' If it's used with verbs like 'conectar' or 'navegar' (to connect/browse), it means 'network.' If it's used with 'pescar' (to fish) or 'atrapar' (to trap), it means 'physical net'.