rasgo
nounCEFR B2
What does “rasgo” mean in English?
1.trait, feature
trait, feature (a distinguishing quality of a person, style, or system; rasgo característico; a grandes rasgos)
2.facial feature — a physical characteristic of someone's face
facial feature — a physical characteristic of someone's face (rasgos del rostro/cara; rasgos finos/marcados; rasgos faciales)
Example sentences
Uno de los rasgos más llamativos del estilo de esta autora es la capacidad de integrar lo cotidiano con reflexiones filosóficas.
One of the most striking features of this author's style is the ability to integrate the everyday with philosophical reflections.
A grandes rasgos, la propuesta consiste en reducir los impuestos indirectos y compensar con un impuesto a las grandes fortunas.
In broad terms, the proposal consists of reducing indirect taxes and compensating with a tax on large fortunes.
La capacidad de empatía es uno de los rasgos de personalidad más valorados en los profesionales de la atención al cliente.
The capacity for empathy is one of the most valued personality traits in customer service professionals.
How to use it
El rasgo (noun, masculine) means 'trait, feature, characteristic' — a distinguishing quality of a person, style, or system. At B2, this is the abstract/analytical sense. Core collocations: rasgo característico/definitorio/común; rasgos de personalidad/estilo; el rasgo más llamativo; a grandes rasgos (in broad strokes — very frequent fixed phrase). The verb is not commonly derived from rasgo; one says mostrar/presentar rasgos. Distinguish from característica (characteristic — near-synonym but more technical) and aspecto (aspect — viewpoint or facet).
Common mistake
A grandes rasgos is a fixed phrase equivalent to 'broadly speaking' or 'in rough outline' — learn it as a unit. Don't confuse rasgo (abstract trait/feature) with facción (facial feature — see separate atom) or característica (characteristic — more technical/scientific). Rasgo de unión (hyphen) is an unrelated typographic term.