rótulas
/rotulas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "ball joints" is translated into Spanish as rótulas.
This term refers to spherical bearings used in vehicle suspension and steering systems to facilitate movement in multiple directions.
Which one should you use?
For more descriptive or technical contexts, you may use the formal phrases Articulaciones esféricas or Juntas de rótula.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the phrase is rótula.
How do you pronounce it?
/rotulas/
Did you know?
- While rótulas refers to car parts in a garage, in a medical context it is the word for the 'patellas' or kneecaps in the human body.
- The term rótula shares the same linguistic root as the Latin word for 'little wheel', which describes the shape of the bearing.
- If you are at a Spanish-speaking mechanic and ask for 'las articulaciones', they might think you are talking about human joints or biology rather than car parts.
Examples in context
- El mecánico me dijo que las articulaciones esféricas necesitan ser reemplazadas.The mechanic told me that the ball joints need to be replaced.
- Creo que las rótulas de mi auto están desgastadas. Necesito llevarlo al taller.I think the ball joints in my car are worn out. I need to take it to the workshop.
- Las rótulas del coche están desgastadas.The car's ball joints are worn out.
- Necesito cambiar las rótulas de la dirección.I need to change the steering ball joints.
- El mecánico revisó todas las rótulas.The mechanic checked all the ball joints.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are at an auto repair shop.
- Mateo¿Qué problema tiene mi coche, Lucía?What is wrong with my car, Lucía?
- LucíaLas rótulas de la suspensión están muy mal.The suspension ball joints are in very bad shape.
- MateoEntiendo, ¿es una reparación costosa?I see, is it an expensive repair?
- LucíaNo es tanto, pero es necesario hacerlo.It is not that much, but it is necessary to do it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
