helicóptero
/eliˈkobteɾo/masculine
The English phrase 'chopper' can be translated into Spanish as helicóptero. Wiktionary also lists helico.
Meaning: informal: helicopter (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| helicóptero | /eliˈkobteɾo/ | masculine |
| helico | /eliko/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term is used to refer to a helicopter. You may also encounter the related verb helicar, which means to travel or transport by helicopter in an informal context.
Which one should you use?
The term helicóptero is the standard word for helicopter. In informal settings, you might hear the shortened form helico or heli used to mean 'chopper'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun helicóptero is masculine, so it requires masculine articles such as el or un.
How do you pronounce it?
/eliˈkobteɾo/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word chopper actually refers to a type of heavy motorcycle rather than a helicopter.
- The Greek root pterón found in helicóptero is the same root that gives English the word 'pterodactyl', which literally means 'wing finger'.
Examples in context
- Entonces, el helicóptero aterrizará en el centro de la ciudad.So, the chopper will land in the city center.
- La policía envió un heli para controlar la situación.The police sent a chopper to control the situation.
- El helicóptero es muy ruidoso.The helicopter is very noisy.
- Vimos un helicóptero en el cielo.We saw a helicopter in the sky.
- Ese helicóptero aterriza en el campo.That helicopter is landing in the field.
Example conversation
Sofia and Daniel are watching the sky together.
- SofíaMira, Daniel, hay un helicóptero allí.Look, Daniel, there is a helicopter over there.
- DanielEs muy ruidoso, ¿verdad, Sofía?It is very noisy, right, Sofia?
- SofíaSí, el helicóptero vuela muy bajo.Yes, the helicopter is flying very low.
- DanielQuizás va hacia el hospital.Maybe it is going to the hospital.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chopper” translations and entries helicóptero, 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 helicóptero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
