casco de bicicleta
/kasko de biθikleta/from spelling rules
The English phrase "bicycle helmet" is casco de bicicleta in Spanish.
The term casco de bicicleta refers to the protective headgear worn while riding a bicycle. In a cycling context, native speakers often simplify this by dropping de bicicleta and simply referring to the object as el casco.
Meaning: helmet worn while riding a bicycle (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of casco (helmet), de (of) and bicicleta (bicycle), literally meaning "helmet of bicycle".
Which one should you use?
While casco de bicicleta is the standard term, you may encounter casco de ciclista, which translates to "cyclist's helmet" and refers more broadly to the helmet of a cyclist rather than specifically a bicycle helmet.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In various Latin American countries, the term casco para bicicleta is frequently used.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, you change the noun casco to cascos while keeping the rest of the phrase the same, resulting in cascos de bicicleta.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, if you simply say you are going to 'ponerse el casco', people will assume you are riding a motorcycle rather than a bicycle.
- The word casco is actually derived from the verb cascar, which means 'to crack' or 'to split'.
- In Spanish, the word casco is also used to refer to the hull of a ship or the hooves of a horse.
Examples in context
- Tom se quitó su casco de bicicleta y lo puso en la mesa.Tom took off his bicycle helmet and put it on the table.This sentence shows how to use the phrase casco de bicicleta when describing someone removing their helmet.Tatoeba #2502364 by marcelostockle, translation #1867844 by CK
- Por favor, necesito un casco de ciclismo para mi viaje en bicicleta.Please, I need a bicycle helmet for my bike ride.
- No te olvides de ponerte el casco para bici antes de salir a pedalear.Don't forget to put on your bike helmet before going for a ride.
- Mi mamá me compró un casco de bicicleta nuevo para mi cumpleaños.My mom bought me a new bicycle helmet for my birthday.
- Olvidé mi casco de bicicleta en casa.I forgot my bicycle helmet at home.
- El casco de bicicleta es de color azul.The bicycle helmet is blue.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are preparing to go for a bike ride.
- Elena¿Dónde está tu casco de bicicleta, Alejandro?Where is your bicycle helmet, Alejandro?
- AlejandroEstá en la mochila.It is in the backpack.
- ElenaNo olvides ponértelo.Don't forget to put it on.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, Elena.Don't worry, Elena.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bicicleta, casco, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
