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"Zanja" is a form of "zanja", a noun which is often translated as "ditch". "Hueco" is a noun which is often translated as "hole". Learn more about the difference between "hueco" and "zanja" below.
el hueco, hueco(
weh
-
koh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
2. (free time)
b. spare time
Uso el hueco que me queda entre una clase y otra para estudiar.I use the spare time I have between classes to do some studying.
3. (free space)
4. (on a road) (Colombia) (Nicaragua) (Venezuela)
Regionalism used in Colombia
Regionalism used in Nicaragua
Regionalism used in Venezuela
a. shaft
Están haciendo reparaciones en el hueco del ascensor.They're doing some repair work in the elevator shaft.
6. (extremely offensive) (homosexual) (Chile) (Guatemala) (Honduras)
A word or phrase that is gravely offensive and taboo in all contexts.
Regionalism used in Chile
Regionalism used in Guatemala
Regionalism used in Honduras
a. fag (extremely offensive) (United States)
A word or phrase that is gravely offensive and taboo in all contexts.
Regionalism used in the United States
b. poof (extremely offensive) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is gravely offensive and taboo in all contexts.
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
8. (frivolous)
a. shallow
Barbie es tan hueca que no se puede tener una conversación con ella.Barbie's so shallow you can't have a conversation with her.
b. superficial
Cuando me voy de vacaciones me gusta leer novelas huecas para pasar el tiempo.When I go on holiday, I like to read superficial novels to pass the time.
c. empty
El discurso del gobernador estuvo repleto de promesas huecas.The governor's speech was full of empty promises.
9. (sound)
la zanja(
sahng
-
hah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (gutter)
a. ditch
La inundación arrastró su carro hasta una zanja de desagüe al lado de la carretera.The floods pushed his car into a drainage ditch on the side of the road.
2. (channel)
a. trench
Tuvieron que excavar una zanja en mi jardín para instalar la tubería de gas natural.They had to excavate a trench in my yard to install natural gas pipes.
3. (geography) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. gully
La erosión creó una zanja profunda en la ladera.Erosion created a deep gully in the hillside.
b. watercourse
Sigue la zanja hasta que encuentres el río.Follow the watercourse until you find the river.
