Inklingo
← Dictionary

trinchera

treen-CHEH-rah/tɾinˈtʃeɾa/

“trinchera” means “trench” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

trench

Also: ditch, barrier
NounfB1
A deep, narrow excavation in the brown earth through a green field.

📝 In Action

Los soldados pasaron meses viviendo en la trinchera.

B1

The soldiers spent months living in the trench.

Tuvieron que cavar una trinchera profunda para los cables.

B2

They had to dig a deep trench for the cables.

La lluvia inundó la trinchera durante la noche.

B1

The rain flooded the trench during the night.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • zanja (ditch)
  • foso (moat/pit)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • cavar una trinchera – to dig a trench
  • guerra de trincheras – trench warfare

front line

Also: standpoint, position
NounfC1
A person standing at the edge of a field, looking ahead with determination while holding a garden tool.

📝 In Action

Los enfermeros trabajan en la primera trinchera contra la enfermedad.

B2

Nurses work on the front line against the disease.

No abandonaré mi trinchera ideológica.

C1

I will not abandon my ideological standpoint.

Desde su trinchera en el periódico, ella defiende la verdad.

C1

From her position at the newspaper, she defends the truth.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • desde la trinchera – from the front lines (metaphorical)
  • trinchera cultural – cultural battleground

Idioms & Expressions

  • estar en la trinchera – To be actively involved in the difficult, daily work of a cause.

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "trinchera" in Spanish:

barrier→ditch→front line→position→standpoint→trench→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: trinchera

Question 1 of 3

What does a soldier do in a 'trinchera'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
atrincherar(to entrench / to dig in) — Verb
atrincheramiento(entrenchment) — Noun
trincherazo(a pass with a bullfighting cape) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Italian word 'trincera', which comes from 'trinciare' (to cut). It shares the same root as the English word 'trench' and the French 'trancher' (to slice).

First recorded: 16th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: tranchéeEnglish: trenchItalian: trincea

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'trinchera' only used for war?

No. While it started as a military term, today it is very common in journalism to describe people working hard in difficult social or professional 'front lines'.

Is it 'el trinchera' or 'la trinchera'?

It is always 'la trinchera' because it is a feminine noun.

What is 'guerra de trincheras'?

It literally means 'trench warfare', but it is also used to describe a situation (like a political debate) where neither side is moving or compromising.