The word "recio" functions as an adjective in Spanish.
The phonetic transcription of "recio" in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is [ˈreseo].
In Spanish, "recio" means strong or sturdy, often referring to something robust or powerful. It can be used to describe people, objects, or even weather conditions. The term conveys a sense of toughness or durability. It is used with moderate frequency in both spoken and written contexts but tends to appear more in literary or descriptive writing.
The worker is very strong and always completes his task on time.
La madera que usaron para construir la casa es recia y duradera.
The wood they used to build the house is sturdy and long-lasting.
No puedo soportar el clima recio de esta región.
"Reacio" is similar to "recio" but should not be confused. However, there are idiomatic expressions related to the toughness or strength implied by "recio." Here are a few examples:
He is a tough man who never gives up, he is tougher than a rock.
Hablar recio
There's no need to speak loudly, we can discuss calmly.
Aguantar recio
You have to hold strong during difficult times.
Tener un corazón recio
The word "recio" comes from the Latin root "recisus," the past participle of "recidere," which means to cut back or off. Over time, it shifted in meaning to denote sturdiness or strength.