Noun
/kasˈka.xo/
The word "cascajo" primarily refers to small stones or pebbles, often mixed with sand, typically used in construction or as decorative elements in landscapes. In both colloquial and formal contexts, it can also refer to debris or rubble left over from construction or natural events like landslides.
In terms of frequency of use, "cascajo" is more commonly employed in spoken language, particularly in regional dialects across Spanish-speaking countries, including the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. It may not be as frequently used in formal written texts.
La carretera está llena de cascajo, lo que hace difícil conducir.
The road is full of gravel, which makes driving difficult.
Necesitamos cascajo para la obra de construcción que estamos planeando.
We need gravel for the construction project we are planning.
Después de la tormenta, había cascajo por todas partes en el jardín.
After the storm, there was debris everywhere in the garden.
While "cascajo" itself is not featured prominently in idiomatic expressions, variations or contextual uses related to debris and rubble can be observed in colloquial speech:
El edificio quedó en cascajo después del terremoto.
The building was left in ruins after the earthquake.
Sacar el cascajo (To clear the rubble): Used when referencing the act of cleaning up or removing debris.
The word "cascajo" has its origins in the Latin word "cascāre," meaning to fall or break. This reflects its current use in the context of small, broken fragments of stone or debris.
In summary, "cascajo" is a versatile term mainly related to gravel or debris, commonly used in both everyday conversation and construction contexts throughout various Spanish-speaking regions.