colgante
/kolˈɡante/
The English word hanging is translated into Spanish as colgante. Wiktionary also lists colgandero and pensil.
Meaning: suspended (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| colgante | /kolˈɡante/ |
| colgandero | /kolɡandeɾo/ (from spelling rules) |
| pensil | /penˈsil/ |
The primary meaning of these terms is to describe something that is suspended. While the forms provided describe objects that hang, note that the related noun ahorcamiento refers specifically to the act of hanging a person as a means of execution.
What does it mean word for word?
The word colgante is derived from the verb colgar, which means to hang.
Which one should you use?
Use colgante to describe an object that is suspended. In contrast, use ahorcamiento when referring to the execution of a person.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective colgante is invariant in gender, so it remains the same whether describing a masculine or feminine noun. To make colgante plural, add an -s to form colgantes.
How do you pronounce it?
/kolˈɡante/
Did you know?
- The adjective colgado can be used as a slang term to describe a person who is 'spaced out', 'distracted', or 'out of touch' with reality.
- While colgante describes a suspended object, the word colgar is also used to describe a computer or software that has frozen or crashed.
- The term pensil is rarely used today, but it remains a formal cognate of the Latin pēnsilis, which also gave English the word 'pendulous'.
Examples in context
- Anoche soñé que un okapi y yo construíamos una iglesia colgante en la pared de un acantilado.I had a dream last night that an okapi and I built a hanging church on the face of a cliff.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe a colgante church.Tatoeba #7848667 by Seael, translation #9870600 by DJ_Saidez
- El reloj está colgando en la pared.The clock is hanging on the wall.
- El criminal fue ejecutado mediante la horca, quedando colgando.The criminal was executed by hanging.
- La lámpara está suspendida del techo.The lamp is hanging from the ceiling.
- Ella tiene un cuadro colgado en su dormitorio.She has a picture hanging in her bedroom.
- Mis llaves están colgadas en el gancho.My keys are hanging on the hook.
- Después de trepar el árbol, quedamos colgados en las ramas.After climbing the tree, we were left hanging from the branches.
- El adorno colgante es de cristal.The hanging ornament is made of glass.
- Busco una lámpara colgante para la sala.I am looking for a hanging lamp for the living room.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are decorating their new apartment.
- LucíaMateo, ¿qué te parece este adorno colgante?Mateo, what do you think of this hanging ornament?
- MateoEs muy bonito, Lucía.It is very beautiful, Lucía.
- Lucía¿Crees que queda bien en la ventana?Do you think it looks good in the window?
- MateoSí, se verá genial allí.Yes, it will look great there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hanging” translations and entries colgante, colgandero, pensil, 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 colgante, pensil, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
