What does "barranquilla" mean?

Question

It's from a song by Shakira. Mira en barranquilla se baila, asi. Thanks for your help. Trudy

Answer 1

A Colombian city on the Caribbean. "Notice that in Barranquilla they dance that way."

The name actually comes from two Spanish words: "barranca" meaning gulch or ravine, and "quilla" meaning keel (as on a ship). So "Barranquilla" means "gulch keel" and I have no idea what that's supposed to indicate. The city is a major shipping port with some tourist trade, but the beaches are far from being the best in Colombia.

Very detailed. Gets my vote! - Rolest, MAY 30, 2010

Good answer! - rgilbert3, MAR 5, 2013

Answer 2

So "Barranquilla" means "gulch keel" and I have no idea what that's supposed to indicate.

I doubt that it´s anything as convoluted as this.

"Quilla" is a diminutive just as "quita" is in this case, so "barranquilla" would be "little ravine."

Answer 3

Not an answer, another question:

Why do these ancient questions appear? May 30, 2010!!??

Sometimes they are from people who are no longer in the forum population.

Answer 4

Barranquilla

In the toponymy section you'll see that the name is, effectively, a diminutive

Answer 5

It also literally means a small cliff. If the city is on a cliff along the ocean, then I would guess that´s where it gets its name from.

Answer 6

It's the name of a city.