rajar (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

The word "rajar" is a verb in Spanish.

Phonetic Transcription

The phonetic transcription in the International Phonetic Alphabet is /ˈra.xar/.

Translation Options into English

The verb "rajar" can be translated into English as: - To crack - To split - To tear - To cut - To gossip (in certain contexts)

Meaning and Usage

"Rajar" generally refers to the action of causing something to split or crack, for example, when discussing a physical object like wood or an egg. In colloquial use, particularly in some Latin American countries, it can also refer to gossiping or snitching on someone. It is moderately frequent in oral speech, especially in informal contexts, while its use in written form is less common when referring to the gossiping context.

Example Sentences

1. Colombian Context: "Cuando el frío aumenta, la madera tiende a rajar."
   Translation: "When the cold increases, the wood tends to crack."

2. Puerto Rican Context: "No deberías rajar de tus amigos, eso no es leal."
   Translation: "You shouldn’t gossip about your friends; that’s not loyal."

3. Ecuadorian Context: "Si rajas el huevo con mucha fuerza, se romperá."
   Translation: "If you crack the egg too hard, it will break."

Idiomatic Expressions

The verb "rajar" is commonly used in various idiomatic expressions, especially in Latin American Spanish:

1. Rajar de alguien: To talk badly about someone or to gossip about someone.

2. "Ella siempre raja de sus compañeros de trabajo."
   Translation: "She always gossips about her coworkers."

3. No rajar: To not give up or to persevere.

4. "A pesar de las dificultades, decidí no rajar."
   Translation: "Despite the difficulties, I decided not to give up."

5. Rajar la lengua: To speak freely, often implies speaking too much or gossiping.

6. "Ten cuidado, no quiero que rajes la lengua sobre nuestros planes."
   Translation: "Be careful; I don't want you to spill the beans about our plans."

7. Rajar por la seguridad: To report or inform against someone.

8. "Él rajo por la seguridad del lugar a pesar de sus lealtades."
   Translation: "He informed on the safety of the place despite his loyalties."

Etymology

The word "rajar" originates from the Latin word "rādĕre," which means "to scratch" or "to scrape." Over time, it evolved in various Romance languages, where it took on different meanings related to splitting or cutting.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms

• Gisear (in some contexts referring to gossiping)
• Cortar (to cut)
• Rasgar (to tear)

Antonyms

• Unir (to unite)
• Reparar (to repair)
• Consolidar (to consolidate)

This comprehensive overview of "rajar" illustrates its versatility and varied usage in the Spanish language across different contexts.