Inklingo
← Dictionary

vara

bah-rah/ˈba.ɾa/

rod, stick

Also: wand, pole
NounfA2
A smooth, straight wooden rod leaning against a stone wall.

📝 In Action

El pastor dirige a sus ovejas con una vara de madera.

A2

The shepherd guides his sheep with a wooden rod.

El mago agitó su vara mágica y desapareció el conejo.

B1

The magician waved his magic wand and the rabbit disappeared.

Usamos una vara larga para alcanzar los mangos del árbol.

B1

We used a long pole to reach the mangoes on the tree.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • palo (stick)
  • bastón (cane/walking stick)

Common Collocations

  • vara de medir – measuring stick
  • vara mágica – magic wand

yardstick, standard

NounfB2
A long wooden measuring stick resting on a tailor's table next to a roll of fabric.

📝 In Action

No podemos juzgar a todos con la misma vara.

B2

We cannot judge everyone by the same yardstick.

Su vara de medir es demasiado estricta.

C1

His standard of measurement is too strict.

La empresa cambió su vara para evaluar el éxito.

C1

The company changed its yardstick for evaluating success.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • criterio (criterion/judgment)
  • estándar (standard)

Common Collocations

  • la misma vara – the same yardstick

Idioms & Expressions

  • doble vara de medir – To apply different sets of principles to similar situations; a double standard.

authority, sway

Also: pull
NounfC1informal
Spain
A polished wooden staff with a golden top resting on a velvet cushion.

📝 In Action

En este pueblo, el alcalde tiene la vara alta.

C1

In this town, the mayor has a lot of influence.

No intentes discutir con ella; tiene la vara de mando.

C2

Don't try to argue with her; she holds the staff of command.

Él tiene vara en ese departamento.

C2

He has pull in that department.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • vara de mando – staff of office/authority

Idioms & Expressions

  • tener la vara alta – To have high influence or authority in a specific place or group.

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: vara

Question 1 of 3

What does the idiom 'doble vara de medir' mean?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
varilla(small rod/dipstick) — Noun
varear(to beat with a stick) — Verb
varillaje(set of rods) — Noun
varazo(blow with a stick) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'vāra', which referred to a wooden bar or a forked stick used in construction and agriculture.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: varaItalian: vara

💡 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 'vara' the same as 'palo'?

Not exactly. 'Palo' is a general word for any stick. 'Vara' is usually straighter, thinner, and often has a specific purpose like measuring or guiding.

What is the difference between 'vara' and 'varita'?

'Varita' is the diminutive. While a fairy might use a 'varita' (wand), a shepherd would use a 'vara' (rod/staff).

Is 'vara' still used as a measurement?

Historically, the 'vara' was a unit of length (about 83cm), but it is no longer used officially. You will mostly find it in historical documents or old idioms.