bicicleta
/biθiˈkleta/
bicicleta is the Spanish word for bicycle.
The term bicicleta refers to a vehicle with two wheels that a person pedals to move forward.
Which one should you use?
While bicicleta is the standard term, you may encounter the shortened form bici or the informal term bicla.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term bicla is an informal way to refer to a bicycle that is particularly common in Latin America.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural, use bicicletas.
How do you pronounce it?
/biθiˈkleta/
Did you know?
- In several Latin American countries, a bicicleta is also a name for a specific type of deceptive move in soccer or football where a player circles their foot around an opponent's leg.
- The word bicicleta is borrowed from the French word bicyclette, which combined Latin and Greek roots to name the invention.
Examples in context
- ¿Dónde puedo alquilar una bicicleta?Where can I rent a bicycle?
- Vamos al parque en bici este domingo.Let's go to the park by bike this Sunday.
- Mi nueva bicla es genial, tiene una cesta delantera para llevar cosas.My new bike is great, it has a front basket for carrying things.
- Voy al trabajo en bicicleta.I go to work by bicycle.
- Mi bicicleta es roja.My bicycle is red.
- ¿Dónde está tu bicicleta?Where is your bicycle?
- Él usa la bicicleta para ir al trabajo.He uses the bicycle to go to work.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are at a park.
- Lucía¡Qué bonita es tu bicicleta, Mateo!Your bicycle is so pretty, Mateo!
- MateoGracias, Lucía. Es nueva.Thanks, Lucía. It is new.
- Lucía¿Puedo probar la bicicleta?Can I try the bicycle?
- MateoClaro, puedes usarla un momento.Of course, you can use it for a moment.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bicicleta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bicicleta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
