voltereta lateral
/bolteɾeta lateɾal/from spelling rulesfeminine
The English phrase 'cartwheel' is translated into Spanish as voltereta lateral.
voltereta lateral is a feminine noun used to describe the gymnastic maneuver known as a cartwheel. To express the action of performing the maneuver, you can use the phrase hacer una voltereta lateral.
Meaning: gymnastic maneuver (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of voltereta, meaning somersault or roll and lateral, meaning side or lateral.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, such as Argentina and Uruguay, the informal term mortal is used to refer to a cartwheel.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural 'cartwheels', both the noun and the adjective are pluralized to create volteretas laterales.
How do you pronounce it?
/bolteɾeta lateɾal/
Did you know?
- The term voltereta is frequently used in politics or business to describe a 'flip-flop' in an official's stance. A politician who undergoes a voltereta has essentially performed a mental cartwheel by reversing their previous position.
- The word voltereta is formed by adding the diminutive suffix -eta to vuelta, meaning 'turn'. This creates a sense of a 'little turn' or a quick, playful movement rather than a formal rotation.
- If you use the word voltereta to describe a professional athlete, it might sound slightly condescending. Because the word carries a sense of a 'little turn', it often implies a movement that is small, playful, or even clumsy rather than a powerful gymnastic feat.
Examples in context
- Hice una voltereta en el gimnasioI did a cartwheel at the gym
- Ella hace una voltereta lateral muy elegante.She does a very elegant cartwheel.
- No puedo hacer una voltereta lateral todavía.I cannot do a cartwheel yet.
Example conversation
Two friends are practicing gymnastics in a park.
- LucíaMira, Alejandro, ¡puedo hacer una voltereta lateral!Look, Alejandro, I can do a cartwheel!
- Alejandro¡Wow, Lucía, salió perfecta!Wow, Lucía, it was perfect!
- Lucía¿Quieres intentar hacer una voltereta lateral tú también?Do you want to try doing a cartwheel too?
- AlejandroNo, yo prefiero hacer saltos.No, I prefer doing jumps.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cartwheel” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lateral, voltereta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
