costa brava: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-FrequencyFormal, Geographical, Tourist/Travel
Quick answer
What does “costa brava” mean?
A specific, rugged coastal region in northeastern Spain (Catalonia), known for its tourism.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific, rugged coastal region in northeastern Spain (Catalonia), known for its tourism.
A proper noun referring specifically to the coastal area of Catalonia, Spain, extending from the Franco-Spanish border to the town of Blanes. It is used metonymically to refer to package holidays, 1960s-70s tourism, and a certain Mediterranean aesthetic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally recognised in both varieties due to its status as a proper geographical name. It is possibly more culturally resonant in British English due to historical mass tourism from the UK to the region in the late 20th century.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes Mediterranean holidays, package tours (especially from the 1960s-80s), rugged coastline, and Spanish tourism. In British culture, it may have slightly nostalgic or dated connotations of affordable summer holidays.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but marginally higher in UK English in travel/tourism contexts. In US English, it is a known geographical term but less culturally embedded.
Grammar
How to Use “costa brava” in a Sentence
[Preposition +] Costa Brava + [prepositional phrase/locative]the + Costa Brava + [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “costa brava” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verbal use. It is a proper noun.]
American English
- [No standard verbal use. It is a proper noun.]
adverb
British English
- [No adverbial use.]
American English
- [No adverbial use.]
adjective
British English
- [Rarely used attributively, e.g., 'a Costa Brava villa', 'the Costa Brava experience'.]
American English
- [Rarely used attributively, e.g., 'a Costa Brava vacation', 'Costa Brava beaches'.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in travel and tourism industry contexts (brochures, marketing).
Academic
Used in geography, tourism studies, or European history contexts.
Everyday
Used in conversations about holidays, travel plans, or Spanish geography.
Technical
Used in cartography or specific geographical descriptions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “costa brava”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “costa brava”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “costa brava”
- Writing it in lower case ('costa brava').
- Using 'Costa Brava' to refer to any rugged coast (it is a specific proper noun).
- Pronouncing 'Brava' as /ˈbrɑːvə/ with a short 'a' in the first syllable instead of the correct /ˈbrɑːvə/ (like 'bra-vah').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a Spanish phrase (meaning 'wild coast') that is used as a proper noun in English to refer to that specific Spanish region.
No. In English, we use the original Spanish name 'Costa Brava'. You would not say 'the Wild Coast' to refer to this region.
No. They are different coastal regions in Spain. The Costa Brava is in the northeast (Catalonia), while the Costa del Sol is in the south (Andalusia).
In British English: /ˌkɒstə ˈbrɑːvə/. In American English: /ˌkoʊstə ˈbrɑːvə/. The stress is on 'Brava'.
A specific, rugged coastal region in northeastern Spain (Catalonia), known for its tourism.
Costa brava is usually formal, geographical, tourist/travel in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No standard English idioms. The phrase itself is used almost metonymically, e.g., 'a cheap Costa Brava package' to mean a basic beach holiday.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'COSTA' (coast) + 'BRAVA' (brave/wild). A 'brave, wild coast' in Spain.
Conceptual Metaphor
PLACE FOR ACTIVITY (The Costa Brava is a destination for tourism).
Practice
Quiz
What is the Costa Brava?