cigüeñal
/θiɡweˈɲal/
The Spanish word for crankshaft is cigüeñal.
cigüeñal is a noun used to refer to the rotating shaft that drives a crank.
Meaning: rotating shaft that drives a crank (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/θiɡweˈɲal/
Did you know?
- The word cigüeñal is derived from cigüeña, which means 'stork'.
- In Spanish, the 'ü' in cigüeñal uses a dieresis to signal that the 'u' must be pronounced, unlike in words like guitarra where it is silent.
- The letter ñ in cigüeñal is a distinct letter of the Spanish alphabet and not a modified 'n' with a symbol above it.
Examples in context
- El cigüeñal del coche está roto.The car's crankshaft is broken.
- Necesitamos comprar un cigüeñal nuevo.We need to buy a new crankshaft.
- El mecánico revisa el cigüeñal.The mechanic is checking the crankshaft.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are looking at a car engine.
- AlejandroSofía, creo que el problema es el cigüeñal.Sofía, I think the problem is the crankshaft.
- Sofía¿Estás seguro, Alejandro?Are you sure, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSí, el cigüeñal hace un ruido extraño.Yes, the crankshaft is making a strange noise.
- SofíaEntonces debemos cambiarlo pronto.Then we should replace it soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “crankshaft” translations and entries cigüeñal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cigüeñal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
