The word vara in Spanish primarily refers to a slender, elongated piece of wood or similar material. It is used in various contexts, including general language to denote any stick or rod. In tauromachy, "vara" specifically refers to the pole or lance used by picadors in bullfighting to help weaken the bull before the actual fight begins.
Frequency of Use: The word "vara" is relatively common in both oral and written contexts, although it might appear more frequently in written contexts due to its specificity in certain domains like tauromachy.
Example Sentences:
1. La vara del camino estaba rota y necesitaba ser reemplazada.
The stick of the path was broken and needed to be replaced.
En la plaza de toros, el picador usa la vara para controlar al toro.
In the bullring, the picador uses the lance to control the bull.
El niño jugó con una vara para medir la altura de las plantas.
The boy played with a stick to measure the height of the plants.
The term vara can be part of several idiomatic expressions in Spanish, indicating authority, distance, or capacity. Here are a few examples:
Estar en la vara
To be in a position of authority or to be in charge.
Él está en la vara ahora que fue promovido.
He is in charge now that he was promoted.
Dar vara
To annoy or to nag someone.
No me des vara con tus quejas, solo relájate.
Don't annoy me with your complaints, just relax.
Echar vara
To give someone a warning or to give advice.
El maestro le echó vara al estudiante sobre la importancia de estudiar.
The teacher gave the student a warning about the importance of studying.
Sin vara
Referring to something done without proper tools or preparation.
Hicieron el proyecto sin vara y les salió bien.
They did the project without the proper tools and it turned out well.
The word vara derives from Latin vādā, vara, which means a rod or staff. Its usage has evolved over time, particularly in Spanish-speaking cultures where it has maintained its association with various kinds of rods or sticks, as well as specific applications in contexts such as bullfighting.
Synonyms: - Bastón (cane) - Palo (stick) - Barra (bar)
Antonyms: - N/A (since "vara" typically refers to a specific object and does not have direct antonyms).