How to Say "beam" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “beam” is “rayo” — use 'rayo' when referring to a ray of light, heat, or radiation, often a single line or stream.
rayo
rra-yoˈraʝo
Examples
Un rayo de sol se filtraba por la ventana.
A ray of sunshine filtered through the window.
Le hicieron una radiografía de rayos X para ver el hueso roto.
They took an X-ray (ray of X) to see the broken bone.
Technical Usage
When talking about X-rays (radiography), the full term is 'rayos X' (plural), even though we often shorten it to just 'X-ray' in English.
haz
asas
Examples
Un haz de luz solar iluminó la habitación.
A beam of sunlight lit up the room.
Recogió un haz de espárragos en el mercado.
She picked up a bundle of asparagus at the market.
El enemigo agitaba un haz de flechas.
The enemy brandished a sheaf of arrows.
It's a Masculine Noun
Even though 'haz' ends in 'z', it's a masculine word. So, you say 'el haz' (the beam) or 'un haz' (a beam). Its plural form is 'los haces'.
Using the Wrong Gender
Mistake: “La haz de luz es bonita.”
Correction: El haz de luz es bonito. Remember to use 'el' with 'haz' and make any describing words (adjectives) masculine too.
viga
BEE-gahˈbi.ɣa
Examples
La casa tiene una viga de madera muy antigua.
The house has a very old wooden beam.
Los arquitectos instalaron vigas de acero para reforzar el techo.
The architects installed steel beams to reinforce the roof.
Siempre ves la paja en el ojo ajeno y no la viga en el tuyo.
You always see the speck in someone else's eye and not the beam in your own.
Always Feminine
The word 'viga' is always feminine, so you must use 'la' or 'una' with it, even if it's a heavy steel beam!
Describing Material
To say what a beam is made of, use 'de' followed by the material (e.g., 'viga de madera' for wooden beam).
Confusing Viga and Vía
Mistake: “El tren corre por la viga.”
Correction: El tren corre por la vía. 'Vía' means track, while 'viga' is a support beam in a building.
Light vs. Structure
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