rayó

Rayó is the third-person singular preterite (simple past) form of the Spanish verb rayar. It translates roughly as “he scratched” or “he marked with lines,” depending on context.

Usage and senses: Rayar means to mark a surface by drawing lines, stripes, or grooves, or to scratch it. In this sense, rayó describes a completed past action and is transitive, taking a direct object. Common senses include scratching with a sharp object or marking a surface with lines or patterns. Examples: rayó la mesa con la llave (he scratched the table with the key); rayó la pared con trazos oscuros (he marked the wall with dark strokes). Colloquially, rayar can also imply scoring or corrugating a surface.

Examples in context:

- El artista rayó la madera con trazos negros. (The artist marked the wood with black strokes.)

- El gato rayó el sofá. (The cat scratched the sofa.)

Etymology and related forms: Rayó derives from the verb rayar, which is linked to rayo (ray, beam, line). Related forms include rayar (infinitive), rayando (present participle), and rayado (past participle). In use, rayar centers on marking with lines, stripes, or scratches, rather than the more general sense of merely touching a surface.

See also: rayo, rayado, rayar.