Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| escalera | /eskaˈleɾa/ | feminine |
| escala | /esˈkala/ | feminine |
| escalera de mano | /eskaˌleɾa de ˈmano/ | masculine |
| escalera portátil | /eskaleɾa poɾtatil/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| escalera manual | /eskaleɾa manwal/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| escalera vertical | /eskaleɾa beɾtikal/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| quiro-escalera | /kiɾoeskaleɾa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
escalera is used to refer to a climbing tool, but it is also the standard word for a fixed staircase in a building. To specifically refer to a portable climbing tool and avoid confusion with a staircase, you can use escalera de mano.
Which one should you use?
While escalera can mean a portable ladder, it is the standard word for a fixed staircase in a building. In contrast, escala refers to a scale, such as a musical scale or a map scale, rather than a physical climbing tool. If you want to be precise about a portable ladder used by hand, use escalera de mano.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, escalera de mano is frequently used to mean ladder.
How does it change in a sentence?
escalera is a feminine noun, so you should use feminine articles such as la or una.
How do you pronounce it?
/eskaˈleɾa/
Did you know?
- The English word 'escalator' is a distant relative of escalera, as both share a common ancestor in the Latin word for 'steps'.
- In a musical context, a 'scale' is called escala, using the same root as the word for a climbing tool.
Examples in context
- Tom subió la escalera.Tom climbed the ladder.This sentence is useful for practicing the verb with escalera.Tatoeba #5861072 by albrusgher, translation #2272651 by CK
- Ella subió la escalera.She was going up a ladder.Tatoeba #873674 by Shishir, translation #311957 by CK
- Sostén firme la escalera.Hold the ladder tight.Tatoeba #1365929 by marcelostockle, translation #1365934 by marcelostockle
- ¿Dónde puedo encontrar una escalera?Where can I find a ladder?
- Voy a pintar la pared, necesito una escaleraI'm going to paint the wall, I need a ladder
- Mi hermano subió por la escalera para arreglar el techoMy brother climbed the ladder to fix the roof
- Compra una escalera nueva para el áticoBuy a new ladder for the attic
- 41 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are fixing a light in the house.
- Alejandro¿Dónde está la escalera?Where is the ladder?
- MaríaEstá en el patio, Alejandro.It is in the yard, Alejandro.
- AlejandroTráela para que yo pueda subir.Bring it so I can climb up.
- MaríaTen cuidado con la escalera.Be careful with the ladder.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ladder” translations and entries escalera, escala, escalera de mano, 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 de, escala, escalera, mano, portátil, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
