colina
/koˈlina/feminine
In Spanish, the word for hill is colina. It is also spelled lomba. Wiktionary also lists alcor and cerro.
Meaning: elevated location (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| colina | /koˈlina/ | feminine |
| alcor | /alˈkoɾ/ | |
| cerro | /ˈθero/ /ˈsero/ |
masculine |
| loma | /ˈloma/ | feminine |
| collado | /koˈʝado/ | masculine |
| lomada | /lomada/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| lomba | /ˈlomba/ | feminine, alternative form |
| altozano | /altoˈθano/ /altoˈsano/ |
masculine |
Which one should you use?
colina is the most general and neutral term for a hill, often used in a geographical or descriptive sense. cerro often implies a larger, more prominent or more rugged hill than colina. loma typically refers to a rounded, gentle rise or a small hill with a smooth slope. altozano is used specifically for a small, isolated elevation or a knoll in a landscape. lomba is simply an alternative spelling of loma.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of Mexico, the word cerro is used to mean 'hill'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the feminine noun colina is colinas. The plural form of the masculine noun cerro is cerros.
How do you pronounce it?
/koˈlina/
Did you know?
- In certain Spanish-speaking regions, the word cerro is also used as a slang term for a 'slum' or a disadvantaged neighborhood located on an elevation.
- The word loma is linguistically related to the word for a person's 'back', which is lomo.
- The term collado is used to describe a specific type of hill, specifically a mountain pass or a notch between two peaks.
Examples in context
- Subí la colina a pie.I walked up the hill.This sentence is useful for describing walking up the colina.Tatoeba #1810302 by marcelostockle, translation #28932 by CK
- Tú debes subir la colina.You must go up the hill.This sentence is useful for expressing the necessity of going up the colina.Tatoeba #1182569 by marcelostockle, translation #16214 by Swift
- Hay una casa en la colina.There is a house on the hill.This sentence is useful for stating the location of a house on the colina.Tatoeba #330669 by Shishir, translation #19876 by CK
- La ciudad está rodeada de hermosas colinas.The city is surrounded by beautiful hills.
- Aquí cerca hay una loma perfecta para hacer un picnic.There's a perfect hill around here for having a picnic.
- El camino conducía al cerro más alto de la región.The road led to the highest hill in the region.
- 69 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are walking in a park.
- DanielMira esa colina verde.Look at that green hill.
- LucíaEs muy bonita, Daniel.It is very beautiful, Daniel.
- Daniel¿Quieres caminar hasta la cima?Do you want to walk to the top?
- LucíaSí, vamos allá.Yes, let's go there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hill” translations and entries colina, alcor, cerro, loma, collado, lomada, lomba, altozano, 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 cerro, colina, collado, loma, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
