Inklingo

How to Say "gust" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ráfaga

nounB1general
Use 'ráfaga' for a noticeable, sometimes sudden, burst of wind that can affect things like clothing or hats.

Examples

Una ráfaga de viento se llevó mi sombrero.

A gust of wind took my hat.

racha

rah-chahˈrat͡ʃa

nounB2general
Use 'racha' when the gust of wind is particularly strong, powerful, and potentially damaging.
A colorful kite flying high in the sky with its tail fluttering violently in the wind.

Examples

Una racha de viento muy fuerte rompió mi paraguas.

A very strong gust of wind broke my umbrella.

Una racha de viento muy fuerte me rompió el paraguas.

A very strong gust of wind broke my umbrella.

Habrá rachas de viento de hasta 80 kilómetros por hora.

There will be wind gusts of up to 80 kilometers per hour.

soplo

SOH-plohˈsoplo

nounB1general
Use 'soplo' for a very light, gentle puff of air, often implying a soft breath or a slight breeze.
A child blowing out a single candle on a small cupcake.

Examples

Apagó la vela con un solo soplo.

He blew out the candle with a single puff.

Ese soplo de aire fresco nos reanimó a todos.

That breath of fresh air revived us all.

La estructura se cayó con un pequeño soplo de viento.

The structure fell down with a small gust of wind.

Using 'Soplo' with 'Un'

Since it is a masculine noun, always use 'un' or 'el'. It usually refers to the act of blowing once.

Soplo vs. Respiración

Mistake:Using 'soplo' to mean the act of breathing regularly.

Correction: Use 'respiración' for the biological process; 'soplo' is specifically the air you push out or a sudden breeze.

Racha vs. Ráfaga

Learners often confuse 'racha' and 'ráfaga' because both mean a gust of wind. Remember that 'racha' implies a stronger, more forceful wind than 'ráfaga'. If the wind is strong enough to break something, 'racha' is usually the better choice.

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