escalera mecánica
/eskaˌleɾa meˈkanika/feminine
The English word 'escalator' is escalera mecánica in Spanish. Wiktionary also lists escalera rodante.
Meaning: mechanical device (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| escalera mecánica | /eskaˌleɾa meˈkanika/ | feminine |
| escalera rodante | /eskaleɾa ɾodante/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
An escalator is a mechanical device. You can also describe one descriptively by saying las escaleras que se mueven (the stairs that move) or las escaleras eléctricas (the electric stairs).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase escalera mecánica is composed of escalera (ladder or staircase) and mecánica (mechanical).
Which one should you use?
escalera mecánica is the standard term used in most Spanish-speaking countries. In contrast, escalera rodante is another way to refer to the device.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, escalera automática can be used to mean escalator.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both escalera mecánica and escalera rodante are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/eskaˌleɾa meˈkanika/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use escalador, as this refers to a person who climbs (a climber) rather than the machine itself.
Did you know?
- The word escalera shares a common ancestor with the English word 'scale', such as in 'to scale a wall'.
- The Spanish word escalera can mean both a fixed staircase and a portable ladder.
- Unlike English, where 'escalator' is a specific invention name, Spanish uses descriptive combinations of 'stairs' and 'mechanical' or 'electric'.
Examples in context
- La escalera mecánica me agarró un cordón del zapato.My shoelace got caught in the escalator.This sentence shows how a shoelace can get caught in an escalera mecánica.Tatoeba #1355683 by marcelostockle, translation #529758 by kebukebu
- La escalera mecánica se detuvo de repente.The escalator suddenly stopped.This sentence describes an escalera mecánica that suddenly stopped.Tatoeba #2145797 by Dejo, translation #4060435 by B_C
- La estación del metro tiene una escalera mecánica muy rápida.The subway station has a very fast escalator.
- Voy a subir por la escalera eléctrica.I'm going to take the escalator up.
- Nos vemos en la planta baja cerca de la escalera rolante.See you on the ground floor near the escalator.
- Busca la escalera mecánica para subir al segundo piso.Look for the escalator to go up to the second floor.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are inside a shopping mall.
- ElenaAlejandro, ¿dónde está la escalera mecánica?Alejandro, where is the escalator?
- AlejandroEstá justo detrás de esa tienda de ropa.It is right behind that clothing store.
- ElenaPerfecto, usemos la escalera mecánica para subir.Perfect, let's use the escalator to go up.
- AlejandroEstá bien, vamos por aquí.All right, let's go this way.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “escalator” translations and entries escalera mecánica, 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 escalera, rodante, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
