interminable
/inteɾminable/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for 'endless' is interminable.
Meaning: having no end (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix in- (not) and terminable (terminable/able to be ended).
How do you pronounce it?
/inteɾminable/
Did you know?
- While interminable is a valid adjective, it is most commonly used in Spanish to express annoyance rather than just physical length. You use it to complain about something tedious, like a boring lecture or a long wait.
- The root word término does not just mean an end in time, but also refers to the physical 'boundary' or 'limit' of a piece of land.
- If you are talking about a literal 'endless' road or a path, you might hear the phrase sin fin. This is often used more frequently in literature than the more formal interminable.
Examples in context
- La guerra parecía interminable.The war seemed endless.This sentence shows how to describe a war that feels endless using interminable.Tatoeba #11683000 by Seael, translation #10502002 by sundown
- Sus divagaciones son interminables.His ramblings are endless.This sentence uses interminable to describe ramblings that do not end.Tatoeba #13364508 by Lernema, translation #13363124 by Igider
- Los votantes esperaron en colas interminables.Voters waited in endless lines.This sentence shows how to use interminable to describe long lines of people waiting.Tatoeba #11029005 by arh, translation #11243996 by Luornu
- la paciencia del profesor fue infinitaThe teacher's patience was endless
- el trabajo del científico fue incesanteThe scientist's work was endless
- la búsqueda de la verdad es una tarea interminableThe search for truth is an endless task
- encontramos una playa sin finWe found an endless beach
- me gusta caminar por el campo infinitoI enjoy walking in the endless countryside
- esperar en la fila parecía eternoWaiting in line seemed endless
- ¡La espera en el aeropuerto fue interminable!The wait at the airport was endless!
- Su amor por la música era infinito. Pasaba horas y horas practicando sus instrumentos.Her love for music was endless, she spent hours and hours practicing her instruments.
- Los días de verano parecen eternos cuando disfrutas de la playa y el sol.Summer days seem endless when you're enjoying the beach and the sun.
- El ruido de la construcción era incesante, lo que dificultaba el descanso.The construction noise was ceaseless, making it difficult to rest.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are stuck in heavy traffic during their commute.
- Alejandro¿Todavía no llegamos? Este tráfico es interminable.Are we not there yet? This traffic is endless.
- SofíaSí, Alejandro, parece que no nos moveremos pronto.Yes, Alejandro, it seems we won't move soon.
- AlejandroEs una espera interminable para nosotros.It is an endless wait for us.
- SofíaTrata de relajarte, la paciencia es necesaria.Try to relax, patience is necessary.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
