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paja

straw

noun PAH-hah Rare

Origin: From Latin palea (chaff, straw).

Also means

hay

Usage Note

Paja means straw (the dry stalks) or hay used as animal fodder. Learners should be aware that in much of the Spanish-speaking world paja also has a vulgar slang sense, so context matters. The phrase techo de paja (thatched roof) is safe and common.

Examples

"Los caballos duermen sobre un lecho de paja."

Natural Translation

The horses sleep on a bed of straw.

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