Presa

[DailyWord]

This is a discussion thread for the Daily Spanish Word for June 26, 2009

presa (feminine noun (la)) — dam, reservoir. Look up presa in the dictionary

Puedes ir a la presa; está muy bonito y allí te dan permiso de pescar.
You can go to the dam; it's really nice and you can go fishing.

[ROBINDESBOIS]

what is the difference between dam and reservoir ?

In Spanish we also have " presa" Y "pantáno "

[hermit]

a dam is the structure built to create a reservoir.

hermit

[Rusty]

A dam is built to hold back the water in a reservoir. But, according to the dictionary, the word dam also refers to the reservoir. I've heard both words used without reserve.

[ROBINDESBOIS]

Ok. Thank you.

[chileno]

Presa also means prey. (In hunting)

You can also refer to it as a piece, like Sírveme otra presa de pollo = Serve me another piece of chicken.

[poli]

I have always (and still) thought that represa was a dam and reservior
was estanque.
I thought presa was a female convict.

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by poli

I have always (and still) thought that represa was a dam and reservior
was estanque.
I thought presa was a female convict.

'Represa' is not used, at least in Spain, although you can find this word in the RAE . 'Presa' is used as an enormous wall to retain and control water. Pantano is the place where water is retained. A 'pantano" can't be broken, a 'presa' can be with horrible consequences.

Presa also means a female convict.

An 'estanque' is very small, for gardens and yards.

[poli]

That's interesting. Pantano over here means swamp, and represa is definitely dam.

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by poli

That's interesting. Pantano over here means swamp, and represa is definitely dam.

I think you use 'dam' for both 'dique' and 'presa'. The difference between them is that a 'dique' is shorter than 15 m. high and 'presa' is higher. Another word not very common is 'azud' used in rivers, as a small 'dique' in a river.

[poli]

En inglés la palabra dique es dike, que tambien es una palabra despectiva para lesbiana pero todo depende en como se usa.

Los castores no hacen diques sino dams en inglés.

[Ronnmacc80]

The word dam carries the assumption that it was purposefully built by someone or something. The word reservior can imply it was built, but can also imply a natural process that created a large amount of water resulted from a naturally interrupted flow of water.

[chileno]

Presa also means "piece"

Pásame una presa de pollo.

Hay personas que se lavan por "presas"

[Sancho Panther]

So where does embalse come into this?

[aleCcowaN]

Embalse es el "depósito" de agua. Es el "recipiente" formado por la represa y el valle u hondonada que ésta cierra.

[powerchisper]

It is different

Presa is for accumulating water ( dam )
Pantano is the "lake" formed by a presa

Dique is different . You put a ship into it and then you drain all of the water out , for repair or for a water level shift.

I agree , presa as " female convict"

"Presa ibérica" is also a piece of meat , that comes from the "armpit" of an iberico pig ( delicious by the way )