ambos extremos
/ambos eɡstɾemos/from spelling rules
The English phrase "both ends" is translated into Spanish as ambos extremos.
This phrase refers to the two opposite tips or edges of an object.
What does it mean word for word?
ambos means "both" and extremos means "ends" or "extremities".
Which one should you use?
While ambos extremos means "both ends", you can also use los dos extremos to mean "the two ends", which is equally common in Spanish.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, ambas puntas may be used instead of ambos extremos.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because extremos is a masculine plural noun, the adjective ambos must also be in the masculine plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/ambos eɡstɾemos/
Did you know?
- In football terminology, a player who plays at 'both ends' of the attacking line is called an extremo, matching the physical position on the pitch.
- While 'ambos' is the standard word for 'both', its ancestor in Old Spanish was actually 'amos'.
- The word extremo is used in Spanish to describe someone with radical political views, whereas English uses 'extreme' as an adjective rather than a noun for the person.
Examples in context
- Quemar la vela por ambos extremos la reduce a cera muy deprisa – igual que un mujeriego que tuviese una mujer atractiva en cada brazo.Burning the candle at both ends reduces the candle to wax in a hurry – just like a playboy having a pretty girl on each arm.This sentence uses ambos extremos to illustrate the metaphorical expression of burning the candle at both ends.Tatoeba #1979829 by camilou, translation #29461 by AlanF_US
- El cable está conectado en ambos extremos del dispositivo.The cable is connected at both ends of the device.
- El cable tiene pelados ambos extremos.The cable has both ends stripped.
- Debes sujetar la cuerda por ambos extremos.You must hold the rope by both ends.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are looking at a broken piece of wood in their workshop.
- Mateo¿Ves las grietas en ambos extremos del palo?Do you see the cracks on both ends of the stick?
- ElenaSí, Mateo, parece que está muy dañado.Yes, Mateo, it looks very damaged.
- MateoTal vez podamos arreglar ambos extremos con pegamento.Maybe we can fix both ends with glue.
- ElenaSería una buena idea, intentémoslo.That would be a good idea, let's try it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ambos, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
