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rocas

ROH-kasˈro.kas

“rocas” means “rocks” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

rocks

Also: boulders, stones
NounfA1
A storybook illustration showing three large, rugged gray and brown boulders sitting on a patch of bright green grass under a blue sky.

📝 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

ice cubes

Also: ice
NounfB1informal
Spain, Mexico
A simple storybook illustration of a clear glass holding a golden beverage with four large, square ice cubes floating near the rim.

📝 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)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "rocas" in Spanish:

boulders→ice→ice cubes→rocks→stones→

✏️ 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
🎵 Rhymes▼
pocaschocas
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Vulgar Latin word *rocca*, meaning a mass of stone. This word spread across Romance languages, eventually giving us the modern Spanish 'roca' and its plural 'rocas'.

First recorded: Medieval Latin period (around the 8th century)

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: rocciaFrench: roche

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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.