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How to Say "crater" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “crater” is “cráter” — use 'cráter' for the opening of a volcano or for impact holes on celestial bodies like the Moon.

English → Spanish

cráter

nounB1general
Use 'cráter' for the opening of a volcano or for impact holes on celestial bodies like the Moon.

Examples

El cráter del volcán está lleno de ceniza.

The volcano's crater is full of ash.

cráter

nounB2general
Use 'cráter' to describe impact holes from meteorites or explosions, often seen on the Moon or Earth.

Examples

La Luna tiene miles de cráteres visibles con un telescopio.

The Moon has thousands of craters visible with a telescope.

hoyo

OH-yohˈo.ʝo

nounA1general
Use 'hoyo' for any large, deep hole or indentation in the ground, like a pothole in a road.
A simple, round indentation or pit dug into brown earth.

Examples

Tuvimos que esquivar un hoyo enorme en la carretera.

We had to swerve to avoid an enormous hole in the road (pothole).

El perro estaba cavando un hoyo para esconder su hueso.

The dog was digging a hole to hide its bone.

Hay que tapar el hoyo antes de que alguien se caiga.

We must cover the hole before someone falls in.

Gender Check

Even though 'hoyo' ends in -o, remember it is a masculine word, so use 'el' (el hoyo) and masculine adjectives (un hoyo grande).

Hoyo vs. Agujero

Mistake: “Using 'hoyo' for a small hole, like a puncture.”

Correction: Use 'agujero' for small holes (like in paper or clothes). 'Hoyo' is typically reserved for holes in the ground or large depressions.

Using 'hoyo' for volcanic or impact craters

Learners often mistakenly use 'hoyo' for volcanic openings or meteorite impacts. Remember that 'cráter' is the specific term for these geological features, while 'hoyo' refers to a more general, often man-made or natural, hole in the ground.

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