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rocas

/ROH-kas/

rocks

A storybook illustration showing three large, rugged gray and brown boulders sitting on a patch of bright green grass under a blue sky.

In geology, rocas means rocks or large stones.

rocas(noun)

fA1

rocks

?

geological material, large stones

Also:

boulders

?

very large rocks

,

stones

?

natural material

📝 In Action

Tuvimos que escalar por encima de muchas rocas para llegar a la cima.

A2

We had to climb over many rocks to reach the summit.

El mar golpea fuertemente contra las rocas de la costa.

A1

The sea strongly hits against the rocks on the coast.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • piedras (stones/pebbles)
  • peñascos (large rocks/cliffs)

Common Collocations

  • rocas volcánicas – volcanic rocks
  • caer entre las rocas – to fall among the rocks

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine Plural

Since 'roca' (rock) is a feminine word, its plural form 'rocas' requires feminine words like 'las' or 'muchas' to go with it.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the wrong article

Mistake: "Los rocas son duras."

Correction: Las rocas son duras. (Remember, use 'las' because 'rocas' is feminine.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Describing terrain

Use 'rocas' when describing rugged, natural terrain, like mountainsides or coastlines, where the stones are large and fixed.

A simple storybook illustration of a clear glass holding a golden beverage with four large, square ice cubes floating near the rim.

When ordering a drink, rocas can refer to ice cubes.

rocas(noun)

fB1

ice cubes

?

when ordering drinks

Also:

ice

?

in a beverage

📝 In Action

¿Quieres tu bebida con rocas o sin ellas?

B1

Do you want your drink with ice cubes or without them?

Pídeme un whisky en las rocas, por favor.

B2

Order me a whiskey on the rocks, please.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • hielos (ice cubes (general term))

Common Collocations

  • en las rocas – on the rocks (with ice)

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Use

This meaning uses 'rocas' because ice cubes are solid like small stones. You will almost always hear this meaning when talking about alcohol.

⭐ Usage Tips

Ordering drinks

If you are in a bar and want ice, the phrase 'en las rocas' (on the rocks) is the most natural way to ask for it.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: rocas

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'rocas' in the figurative sense?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

roca(rock (singular)) - noun
rocoso(rocky) - adjective
pedregoso(stony) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'rocas' a feminine word?

Spanish nouns have a gender, and 'roca' (the singular form) inherited the feminine gender through its history, similar to how many nouns ending in '-a' are feminine. Therefore, the plural 'rocas' is also feminine, requiring 'las' or other feminine words.

When should I use 'rocas' instead of 'piedras'?

'Rocas' usually refers to larger, solid masses of stone, often found in nature like mountains or cliffs. 'Piedras' usually refers to smaller, looser stones, pebbles, or general pieces of rock.