rastrear
Lemma Details
Translation: to track; to trace; to trail; to search; to follow tracks; to scan
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Derived from 'rastro' (track, trail), which comes from Latin 'rastrum' meaning 'rake' or 'scraper'. The Latin word referred to a tool that left marks on the ground, similar to how tracking involves following marks or traces. This connection to physical marks or trails helps explain why 'rastrear' specifically refers to following evidence or signs rather than just general following.
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 30%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
La policía está rastreando al sospechoso.
The police are tracking the suspect.
Puedes rastrear tu paquete en línea.
You can track your package online.
El perro rastreó el olor hasta el bosque.
The dog traced the scent to the forest.
Los científicos rastrean el origen del virus.
Scientists are tracing the origin of the virus.
Mnemonics
- Think of a 'raster' scan on a computer screen, moving line by line to 'track' an image.
- Connect it to 'rastro' (track) - rastrear is what you do when you follow a 'rastro'.
- Picture a rake ('rastrum' in Latin) leaving marks on the ground that you can follow.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, 'rastrear' is commonly used in contexts of hunting, police work, and increasingly in digital contexts like tracking packages or online activity. In rural areas, it maintains strong connections to traditional tracking skills used in hunting and finding lost livestock.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'rastrear' means to track or trace, 'rastrillar' means to rake or comb through something. Both share the same Latin root 'rastrum' (rake), but have evolved different meanings.
This word:
El detective rastreó las huellas del criminal.
The detective tracked the criminal's footprints.
Confused word:
El jardinero rastrilló las hojas en el jardín.
The gardener raked the leaves in the garden.
Notes: Both words relate to the concept of moving across a surface, but rastrear focuses on following evidence, while rastrillar refers to the physical action of raking.
Mnemonic: Rastrear is for tracking (following a trail), while rastrillar is for raking (using a tool).
Explanation: While 'rastrear' means to track or trace, 'arrastrar' means to drag or pull something along a surface. They may sound similar but have distinct meanings.
Confused word:
El niño arrastró su mochila por el suelo.
The child dragged his backpack on the floor.
Notes: Both involve movement along a surface, but rastrear is about following something, while arrastrar is about pulling something.
Mnemonic: Think: rastrear = trace a path, arrastrar = drag along a path.