The word "cayo" is a noun in Spanish.
The phonetic transcription of "cayo" using the International Phonetic Alphabet is /ˈka.ʝo/.
"Cayo" refers to a small, low island or sandbank, particularly in relation to nautical contexts where these features are relevant for navigation or coastal geography. The term is frequently used in both oral and written contexts, particularly in discussions about geography, marine navigation, and ecology. It is moderately common in everyday language, especially in coastal regions or amongst individuals involved with marine activities.
El cayo es un lugar perfecto para pasar el día.
(The cay is a perfect place to spend the day.)
Los pescadores suelen ir a pescar cerca del cayo.
(Fishermen often go fishing near the sandbank.)
Visitamos un cayo deshabitado durante nuestras vacaciones.
(We visited an uninhabited cay during our vacation.)
"Cayo" is less common in idiomatic expressions compared to more versatile nouns, but it can appear in contexts relating to environments with cays. Here are a few examples of possible idiomatic uses:
Vamos a construir castillos en el cayo de arena.
(Let's build castles on the sand cay.)
"Perderse en el cayo" (to lose oneself in a place)
Después de un día en el cayo, me sentí renovado y feliz.
(After a day at the cay, I felt renewed and happy.)
"Navegar hacia el cayo" (to head towards the cay)
Los turistas están emocionados de navegar hacia el cayo.
(The tourists are excited to sail towards the cay.)
"Encontrar un cayo oculto" (to find a hidden cay)
The word "cayo" comes from the Spanish word for a small island or sandbank, derived from the Latin "cā̆cus," which refers to a small, flat area of land in water. The development of the term reflects the regional usage in maritime and coastal geography.
Synonyms: - Islote (islet) - Sandbank (banco de arena)
Antonyms: - Tierra firme (mainland) - Montaña (mountain)
"Cayo" specifically denotes small islands or sandbanks, while the antonyms reference larger land forms or stable ground away from water.