arrasar
Lemma Details
Translation: to devastate; to raze; to destroy completely; to level; to flatten; to sweep away; to wipe out
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: From the prefix 'a-' (indicating intensity) + 'raso' (flat, level), ultimately from Latin 'rasus' (scraped, shaved), past participle of 'radere' (to scrape, to shave). The English word 'erase' shares the same Latin root, both conveying the idea of completely removing or scraping away something until nothing remains.
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 30%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El huracán arrasó la ciudad.
The hurricane devastated the city.
El ejército arrasó el pueblo enemigo.
The army razed the enemy village.
El fuego arrasó con miles de hectáreas de bosque.
The fire wiped out thousands of hectares of forest.
Su actuación arrasó en el concurso.
His/her performance swept the competition.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'a-RACE' where everything is 'erased' from the race track, leaving it flat and empty.
- Connect it with 'erase' + 'all' = 'arrasar' (to erase everything).
- Picture a 'razor' (similar sound to 'arrasar') shaving everything down to ground level.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
Often used in Spanish news and literature to describe the effects of natural disasters, wars, or other catastrophic events. The term carries a strong connotation of complete destruction that leaves nothing standing.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'arrasar' means to devastate or raze, 'atrasar' means to delay or postpone something.
Notes: The prefix 'a-' in both words can cause confusion, but the roots are completely different.
Mnemonic: 'Arrasar' has two r's like 'raze' or 'ruin', while 'atrasar' has a 't' like 'time delay'.
Explanation: 'Arrasar' means to devastate, while 'arrastrar' means to drag or pull something along.
Confused word:
El perro arrastró sus juguetes por toda la casa.
The dog dragged its toys throughout the house.
Notes: Both verbs can sometimes be used in contexts of force or movement, but with different implications.
Mnemonic: 'Arrastrar' has the extra 't' which you can remember as the 'track' left behind when dragging something.