rica
“rica” means “rich” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:
rich, wealthy
Also: affluent
📝 In Action
Su tía es una mujer muy rica que vive en un castillo.
A2Her aunt is a very rich woman who lives in a castle.
La familia de Elena es rica, tienen muchas propiedades.
A1Elena's family is wealthy; they have many properties.
delicious, tasty
Also: yummy
📝 In Action
¡Qué sopa tan rica! Necesito la receta.
A1What a delicious soup! I need the recipe.
La tarta de chocolate está muy rica hoy.
A1The chocolate cake is very tasty today.
attractive, hot
Also: gorgeous
📝 In Action
Vimos a una chica muy rica en el gimnasio.
B2We saw a really attractive girl at the gym.
Dicen que la nueva actriz es muy rica.
B2They say the new actress is really hot (attractive).
rich, fertile
Also: full of
📝 In Action
Esta tierra es muy rica para plantar verduras.
B1This land is very rich (fertile) for planting vegetables.
La historia de esa cultura es muy rica y compleja.
B2The history of that culture is very rich and complex.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: rica
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'rica' to describe a temporary state or feeling?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The Spanish word 'rico' (and thus 'rica') comes from the Gothic word *reiks*, meaning 'powerful' or 'ruler.' Over time, being a ruler or powerful person became associated with having great wealth, leading to the modern meaning of 'rich' or 'wealthy.'
First recorded: Medieval Spanish (around the 12th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'rica' means 'delicious' or 'wealthy'?
Context is key! If 'rica' is describing a food item (like 'sopa,' 'pizza,' or 'fruta'), it almost always means 'delicious.' If it's describing a person, a country, or a company, it usually means 'wealthy' or 'abundant in resources.'
Is 'rica' offensive when used as slang for 'attractive'?
It depends heavily on the region and the situation. While it is a common way to say 'hot' or 'attractive' in many parts of Latin America, it is very informal and can be seen as overly suggestive or inappropriate in formal settings or when speaking to strangers. It's best reserved for close friends.