caliza

limestone

noun kah-LEE-sah Rare

Origin: From Latin calx, 'lime/chalk.'

Usage Note

Caliza (also roca caliza) is the standard geological term for limestone. It is common in Spanish landscape vocabulary — many of Spain's mountain ranges (sierras) and cave systems (cuevas) are formed in caliza. The related adjective calizo describes calcareous soil: terreno calizo. Do not confuse with cal (quicklime), a processed product.

Examples

"La cueva se formó en una montaña de caliza."

Natural Translation

The cave formed in a limestone mountain.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Spanish Reflexive Verbs: Me, Te, Se Made Clear

Spanish reflexive verbs use me, te, se for actions you do to yourself. Master the daily-routine pattern, pronoun placement, and shifts like dormir vs dormirse.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Te Quiero vs Te Amo: Saying "I Love You" in Spanish

Te quiero vs te amo, explained: te quiero is the warm, safe everyday I love you; te amo is deeper and more romantic. A relationship-by-relationship map.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Object Pronouns: Lo, La, Le & Se Made Simple

Use lo/la for the direct object and le for the indirect — and le becomes se before lo/la. Master Spanish object pronouns with one simple verb test.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Diminutives: What -ito and -ita Really Mean

Spanish diminutives rarely mean 'little.' Learn what -ito and -ita really signal — warmth, softening, downplaying — plus the -cito and -ecito formation rules.

June 9, 2026 6 min read