Inklingo

How to Say "fissure" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “fissure” is “grieta” — use 'grieta' for a narrow opening or line of breakage, like a crack in a wall, a road, or even a dry riverbed.

English → Spanish

grieta

GREE-eh-tahˈɡɾjeta

nounB1general
Use 'grieta' for a narrow opening or line of breakage, like a crack in a wall, a road, or even a dry riverbed.
A close-up illustration of a single long, jagged crack running through a smooth, light gray stone surface.

Examples

Hay una grieta pequeña en la pared del salón.

There is a small crack in the living room wall.

El terremoto causó varias grietas profundas en el asfalto.

The earthquake caused several deep cracks in the asphalt.

El agua se filtra por las grietas de las rocas.

Water seeps through the crevices in the rocks.

Feminine Noun Basics

Since this word ends in 'a', it is feminine. Use 'la grieta' or 'una grieta' every time.

Describing Size

When you want to say a crack is getting bigger, use the verb 'abrirse' (to open up).

Crack vs. Hole

Mistake: “Usar 'agujero' para una línea en la pared.”

Correction: Use 'grieta' for long, narrow lines. Use 'agujero' for round holes or gaps where material is missing.

falla

FAH-yahˈfa.ʎa

nounB2geology, technical
Use 'falla' specifically for a geological split or fault line, such as the San Andreas Fault.
A geological illustration showing a visible break in the earth's crust, representing a fault line.

Examples

Los sismólogos estudian la falla de San Andrés.

Seismologists are studying the San Andreas Fault.

La actividad sísmica es mayor cerca de las fallas activas.

Seismic activity is higher near active fault lines.

Falla vs. Grieta

The most common mistake is using 'falla' for everyday cracks. Remember, 'falla' is reserved for significant geological features. For any smaller, non-geological crack, 'grieta' is the correct choice.

Related Translations

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