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How to Say "dash" in Spanish

English → Spanish

raya

RRAH-yahˈra.ʝa

nounA1general
Use 'raya' for a short, quick line, like one you would draw or see as a simple mark.
A thick, straight red line drawn horizontally across a plain white surface.

Examples

Dibuja una raya horizontal en el cuaderno.

Draw a horizontal line in the notebook.

La cebra tiene rayas blancas y negras.

The zebra has white and black stripes.

No cruces la raya roja en el suelo.

Don't cross the red line on the floor.

Gender Reminder

Even though 'raya' ends in 'a', it is feminine, like most Spanish nouns ending in 'a'. Use 'la raya' or 'una raya'.

guión

nounA2general
Use 'guión' specifically for the punctuation mark, a hyphen or dash, used between words or parts of words.

Examples

Olvidaste poner el guión entre 'cien' y 'mil'.

You forgot to put the hyphen between 'one hundred' and 'thousand'.

pizca

PEES-kahˈpiθka

nounA2culinary
Use 'pizca' when referring to a very small amount of a substance, especially an ingredient in cooking.
A close-up of a person's thumb and index finger holding a tiny amount of white sea salt.

Examples

Añade una pizca de sal a la sopa.

Add a pinch of salt to the soup.

Solo necesito una pizca de azúcar para el café.

I only need a dash of sugar for the coffee.

Mezcla la harina con una pizca de canela.

Mix the flour with a smidgen of cinnamon.

Using 'de' for connection

Just like in English we say 'pinch OF salt', in Spanish you must always use 'de' between 'pizca' and the thing you are measuring.

Always Feminine

This word is always feminine, so you must use 'una' or 'la' even if the ingredient itself is masculine (like 'el azúcar').

Gender confusion

Mistake: “Un pizca de sal.”

Correction: Una pizca de sal. Even though it's a small amount, the word 'pizca' ends in 'a' and is feminine.

toque

TOH-kehˈto.ke

nounB1general
Use 'toque' for a subtle addition or hint of something, often used for flavor, color, or effect.
A chef's hand sprinkling a tiny pinch of bright red spice into a large cooking pot, representing a small amount of flavor.

Examples

La salsa necesita un toque de limón para equilibrar el sabor.

The sauce needs a hint of lemon to balance the flavor.

Su apartamento tiene un toque moderno muy elegante.

Her apartment has a very elegant modern touch.

Part of a whole

When referring to a flavor or style, 'toque' is almost always followed by the word 'de' (of): 'un toque de sal' (a dash of salt).

rasgo

RAHS-goˈrasɡo

nounC1general
Use 'rasgo' for a more descriptive term for a line or stroke, often referring to a distinctive feature in handwriting or art.
A thick, elegant swoosh of blue paint made by a single brush movement.

Examples

La firma tiene rasgos muy elegantes.

The signature has very elegant strokes.

Con unos pocos rasgos, el artista dibujó su cara.

With just a few strokes, the artist drew his face.

Abstract vs. Concrete

While the first meaning is about abstract qualities, this meaning is about physical lines on a page.

Confusing 'raya' and 'guión'

Learners often confuse 'raya' and 'guión' because both can mean 'line'. Remember that 'guión' is specifically for the punctuation mark (hyphen/dash), while 'raya' is for a general short line or stroke.

Related Translations

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