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roca

ROH-kahˈroka

“roca” means “rock” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

rock, stone

Also: boulder
NounfA1
A large, smooth, gray boulder resting on a patch of green grass under a clear blue sky.

📝 In Action

El escalador se agarró a una roca para no caer.

A2

The climber held onto a rock so he wouldn't fall.

Vimos muchas rocas grandes cerca del mar.

A1

We saw many large rocks near the sea.

La geología es el estudio de las rocas y la tierra.

B1

Geology is the study of rocks and the earth.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • piedra (stone/pebble)
  • peñasco (crag/large rock)

Common Collocations

  • roca volcánica – volcanic rock
  • una roca sólida – a solid rock

rock

Also: stronghold, pillar
NounfB2
A strong adult figure standing upright and firmly holding up a small, leaning wooden structure to prevent it from collapsing, illustrating support.

📝 In Action

Su madre ha sido la roca de la familia durante todos estos años difíciles.

B2

His mother has been the rock of the family during all these difficult years.

Aunque todo se derrumbó, él se mantuvo como una roca.

C1

Even though everything collapsed, he remained like a rock (steadfast).

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • pilar (pillar)
  • apoyo (support)

Idioms & Expressions

  • ser una roca – to be very strong, steady, or dependable

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "roca" in Spanish:

boulder→pillar→rock→stone→stronghold→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: roca

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'roca' in its figurative sense?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
rocoso(rocky) — Adjective
rocalla(rock garden/rockery) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word 'roca' has roots in late Latin, derived from the term *rocca*, which itself is believed to come from a pre-Roman, perhaps Celtic or Iberian, source meaning 'stone' or 'cliff'. It has been used in Spanish since the Middle Ages.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: roccaFrench: roche

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Frequently Asked Questions

¿Es 'roca' un sustantivo femenino o masculino?

Roca es siempre un sustantivo femenino. Por eso decimos 'la roca' (the rock) y no 'el roco'.

How do I describe something that is made of rock?

You can use the related adjective 'rocoso/rocosa'. For example, 'una playa rocosa' means 'a rocky beach'.