Rasgados

Rasgados is a term used in both Spanish and Portuguese, derived from the verb rasgar, meaning to tear or rip. It functions as an adjective or noun and describes things that are torn, ripped, or distressed. Its precise meaning can vary by context and dialect.

In fashion and textiles, rasgados commonly refers to clothing or fabrics that feature intentional tears or distressing. Examples include jeans with deliberate rips described as jeans rasgados or shirts described as camisas rasgadas. The term is widely used in fashion journalism, marketing, and consumer discourse to convey a worn or edgy aesthetic.

In musical contexts, rasgado (and its plural rasgados) denotes a technique associated with plucking or striking strings in a way that emphasizes a tearing, percussive texture. It is used especially in some Latin American guitar traditions and related styles, where players perform rapid, arpeggiated or broken-note passages that evoke a tearing effect. The concept stems from the literal meaning of rasgar and is commonly linked to expressive, rhythmic guitar playing rather than to a single standardized method.

Beyond clothing and music, rasgados may appear in general descriptions of damaged or altered objects, such as surfaces or materials that have been ripped or torn. The term is widely understood in Iberian and Latin American contexts, with usage shaped by regional vocabulary and the specific domain.