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"Cobija" is a form of "cobija", a noun which is often translated as "blanket". "Refugio" is a form of "refugio", a noun which is often translated as "shelter". Learn more about the difference between "cobija" and "refugio" below.
la cobija(
koh
-
bee
-
hah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (bedding) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. blanket
Me abrigué con una cobija porque hacía frío.I wrapped myself up in a blanket because it was cold.
2. (clothing)
a. shawl
Ponte una cobija antes de salir; hace mucho viento.Put on a shawl before you go out; it's windy.
3. (roof of palm leaves) (Caribbean)
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
a. roof
Hay que reparar la cobija antes de que venga la tormenta.We need to repair the roof before the storm comes.
las cobijas
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
4. (bedclothes) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. bedding
En la noche mi esposo siempre se roba todas las cobijas.My husband always hogs the bedding at night.
el refugio(
rreh
-
foo
-
hyoh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (place)
a. shelter
Las bombas caían a nuestro alrededor mientras corríamos hacia el refugio.Bombs were falling around us while we ran towards the shelter.
b. refuge
Nos costó encontrar el refugio porque estaba escondido debajo de un acantilado.Finding the refuge wasn't easy because it was hidden underneath a cliff.
2. (center)
a. shelter
Hemos adoptado a un perro del refugio de animales.We have adopted a dog from the animal shelter.
3. (protection)
4. (support)
a. comfort
Su hermano fue un refugio para ella tras la muerte de su marido.Her brother was a comfort to her after the death of her husband.
5. (automobile)
a. traffic island
Estaba en el refugio, esperando a que pasaran los carros para poder cruzar.She was on the traffic island, waiting for the cars to go by so she could cross.
