ruinas
/rwee-nahs/
ruins
Ruinas can refer to the historical remains of ancient structures.
📝 In Action
Fuimos a visitar las ruinas de Machu Picchu.
A2We went to visit the ruins of Machu Picchu.
Las ruinas romanas están muy bien conservadas.
A2The Roman ruins are very well preserved.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
This word is always feminine. Use 'las' or 'unas' when talking about them.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gender confusion
Mistake: "los ruinas"
Correction: las ruinas (it is a feminine word).
⭐ Usage Tips
Travel Tip
When traveling in Spanish-speaking countries, look for signs saying 'Zona Arqueológica' to find famous ruins.
Ruinas can also describe a state of total collapse or failure of a structure.
ruinas(noun)
ruin
?a state of collapse or total failure
wreckage
?metaphorical destruction of a situation
📝 In Action
Su vida estaba en ruinas después de perder su trabajo.
B2His life was in ruins after losing his job.
La economía del país quedó en ruinas.
B2The country's economy was left in ruins.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
Just like in English, you can use 'ruinas' to describe things that aren't physical buildings, like a relationship or a business.
⭐ Usage Tips
Ruina vs. Ruinas
Use 'la ruina' (singular) specifically for financial bankruptcy, but 'en ruinas' (plural) to describe the general state of destruction.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ruinas
Question 1 of 2
Which of these is the correct way to say 'The Roman ruins'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'ruinas' always plural?
Not always, but it is very common in the plural when referring to historical sites. 'La ruina' (singular) is often used to mean 'downfall' or 'economic ruin'.
Can I use 'ruinas' for a messy room?
Not usually. For a messy room, Spanish speakers prefer 'desastre' or 'caos'. 'Ruinas' implies something is broken or collapsed, not just untidy.