lluvia
/ˈʎu.bja/
Definition
Water that falls from clouds in drops; rain. Also used figuratively to mean a large amount of something.
Example
La lluvia cayó toda la noche sin parar.
Show translation
The rain fell all night without stopping.
Etymology
From Latin *pluvĭa* ("rain"), derived from the verb *pluere* ("to rain"). The initial Latin *pl-* evolved into the Spanish *ll-* sound, a characteristic shift seen across Ibero-Romance languages. The same Latin root gives English "pluvial" (relating to rain).
Cultural note
In Spain and Latin America, *lluvia* carries rich cultural weight — from the celebrated *lluvia de ideas* ("brainstorm," literally "rain of ideas") to the beloved Chilean song *"Lloviendo"*. In many arid regions of Latin America, rain is eagerly welcomed, making *lluvia* a word often associated with relief and abundance rather than gloom. Be aware that in some dialects (e.g., parts of Argentina and Uruguay where *lleísmo* is weaker), the *ll* may sound closer to an English "sh" or "zh" sound.