Inklingo

How to Say "stream" in Spanish

English → Spanish

arroyo

/ah-RO-yo//aˈroʝo/

nounA2general
Use 'arroyo' for a small, natural stream of water, like one you might walk beside.
A small, clear stream flowing gently over smooth stones in a green meadow.

Examples

Fuimos a caminar por la orilla del arroyo.

We went for a walk along the bank of the stream.

El agua del arroyo es muy clara y fresca.

The water in the brook is very clear and cool.

Después de la tormenta, el arroyo de la calle se inundó.

After the storm, the street gutter flooded.

Masculine Nouns in -o

Since this word ends in -o, it is masculine. You should use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el arroyo'.

Arroyo vs. Río

Mistake: “Using 'río' for every body of flowing water.”

Correction: Use 'arroyo' for small, shallow streams. Use 'río' for larger rivers like the Nile or the Amazon.

flujo

FLOO-hoh/ˈflu.xo/

nounA2general
Use 'flujo' when talking about the movement or flow of non-physical things like data, information, or traffic.
A vibrant blue stream of water flowing smoothly and continuously across a green, grassy landscape.

Examples

El flujo de tráfico se detuvo por el accidente.

The flow of traffic stopped because of the accident.

Hay un buen flujo de información entre los departamentos.

There is a good flow of information between the departments.

Revisa el flujo de la corriente eléctrica.

Check the flow of the electrical current.

Always Masculine

Remember that 'flujo' is always a masculine noun, so you must use 'el' (the) and masculine adjectives with it.

Confusing with 'fluido'

Mistake: “El fluido de agua (The fluid of water)”

Correction: El flujo de agua (The flow of water). 'Fluido' means 'fluid' (the substance), while 'flujo' means 'flow' (the movement).

curso

KOOR-soh/ˈkuɾso/

nounB1general
Use 'curso' to describe the general course or direction of a body of water, like a river, or its movement.
A serene illustration of a winding blue river flowing steadily through a green valley with small, rolling hills, depicting the continuous movement of water.

Examples

El curso del río se desvió por la sequía.

The flow/course of the river was diverted due to the drought.

Hay que dejar que los acontecimientos sigan su curso natural.

We must let events follow their natural course.

Arroyo vs. Curso

Learners often confuse 'arroyo' and 'curso'. Remember that 'arroyo' specifically refers to a small stream of water itself, while 'curso' describes the path or movement of water, often a larger body like a river.

Related Translations

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