cordillera de los Andes
/koɾdiˌʝeɾa de los ˈandes/feminine
The English phrase "andes mountains" is translated into Spanish as cordillera de los Andes.
While the full name is cordillera de los Andes, it is very common in many contexts to refer to the range simply as los Andes.
Meaning: mountain range (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The word cordillera literally refers to a mountain range or a chain of mountains.
Which one should you use?
The full form cordillera de los Andes is the complete name, but you can often use the shorter version los Andes to refer to the same range.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Chile, the name is frequently shortened to La Cordillera.
How does it change in a sentence?
The name of the mountains is treated as a plural masculine noun phrase, which is why the definite article los is used in los Andes. The form cordillera de los Andes is feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/koɾdiˌʝeɾa de los ˈandes/
Did you know?
- The term cordillera comes from the diminutive of cuerda, meaning 'rope'. This is because a mountain range resembles a long, winding rope draped across the landscape.
- In Spanish, the term cordillera is used to describe any major mountain chain, such as the Cordillera Central in Colombia, rather than being a word unique to the Andes.
Examples in context
- Los estudiantes aprendieron sobre la biodiversidad en la Cordillera de los Andes.The students learned about biodiversity in the Andes Mountains.
- Los geólogos investigan los procesos tectónicos en la Cadena de los Andes.Geologists study tectonic processes in the Andes Mountains.
- Este verano planeamos hacer una excursión a Los Andes.This summer, we plan to go on an excursion to the Andes Mountains.
- Me encantaría escalar las montañas de los Andes alguna vez.I would love to climb the Andes Mountains sometime.
- La cordillera de los Andes es impresionante.The Andes mountains are impressive.
- Viajamos por la cordillera de los Andes.We traveled through the Andes mountains.
- Muchos países tienen parte de la cordillera de los Andes.Many countries have part of the Andes mountains.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are looking at a map in a cafe.
- Elena¿Te gusta la cordillera de los Andes?Do you like the Andes mountains?
- DanielSí, Elena, es un lugar increíble.Yes, Elena, it is an incredible place.
- ElenaDaniel, deberíamos ir de excursión allí.Daniel, we should go hiking there.
- DanielEs una excelente idea.That is an excellent idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “andes mountains” translations and entries cordillera de los Andes, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Andes, cordillera, de, los, CC BY-SA 4.0.
