saltar en un pie
/saltaɾ en un pje/from spelling rules
The English phrase "hop on one foot" is translated into Spanish as saltar en un pie.
This phrase is used to describe the action of jumping up and down while maintaining balance on a single leg.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of saltar (to jump), en (on/in), un (one) and pie (foot).
Which one should you use?
While saltar en un pie is the standard way to express this, you can also use brincar en un pie as a synonym. In informal or playful contexts, you might hear Saltar en una pata.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The verb brincar can be used instead of saltar to mean 'to hop' or 'to jump' in many different Spanish-speaking regions.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of "hopping on one foot", use the gerund form saltando en un pie instead of the infinitive saltar en un pie.
Did you know?
- In children's games across Spain and Latin America, the act of hopping on one foot is often linked to el juego de la rayuela, known in English as 'hopscotch'.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, using the word pata instead of pie when hopping transforms the image from a human foot to an animal's paw.
- The word saltar comes from the Latin saltāre, which was a frequentative verb used to describe an action performed repeatedly.
Examples in context
- Para demostrar tu habilidad, puedes intentar saltar a un pie.To showcase your skill, you can try to hop on one foot.
- En la clase de danza, nos enseñaron a hacer un salto en un pie.In dance class, they taught us how to perform a jump on one foot.
- ¡Mira cómo puedo brincar en un pie!Look at how I can hop on one foot!
- El niño puede saltar en un pie.The boy can hop on one foot.
- No puedes saltar en un pie por mucho tiempo.You cannot hop on one foot for a long time.
- Ella intenta saltar en un pie para el juego.She tries to hop on one foot for the game.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are playing a game in the park.
- ElenaDaniel, ahora te toca saltar en un pie.Daniel, now it is your turn to hop on one foot.
- DanielEstá bien, pero es muy difícil.All right, but it is very difficult.
- Elena¡Tú puedes hacerlo, Elena cree en ti!You can do it, Elena believes in you!
- DanielMira, ¡ya estoy saltando en un pie!Look, I am already hopping on one foot!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries en, pie, saltar, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
