aterrizaje
/ateriˈθaxe/masculine
The English word 'landing' is translated into Spanish as aterrizaje.
The noun aterrizaje refers to a coming to a surface, as of an airplane.
Meaning: a coming to a surface, as of an airplane (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word aterrizaje is derived from the verb aterrizar, which means 'to land' (literally 'to reach land').
Which one should you use?
The specific term alunizaje is a formal term specifically referring to a moon landing. The verb form of the noun aterrizaje is aterrizar.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, aterrizaje is the most commonly used expression for 'landing'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun aterrizaje is masculine and is used with masculine articles like el.
How do you pronounce it?
/ateriˈθaxe/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the verb aterrizar as a noun, but the noun for the act of landing is aterrizaje.
Did you know?
- If an airplane lands in water rather than on land, Spanish speakers often switch from using aterrizar to the verb amerrizar.
- In metaphorical speech, aterrizar is used to describe bringing a vague idea down to a concrete or practical level.
- Spanish speakers use a completely different word for a landing on Mars, which is amartizaje, following the pattern of other celestial landings.
Examples in context
- El avión hizo un aterrizaje forzoso.The plane made a forced landing.This sentence shows how to describe a forced landing using aterrizaje.Tatoeba #2253141 by cueyayotl, translation #2253140 by _undertoad
- El avión realizó un aterrizaje perfecto.The plane made a perfect landing.This sentence illustrates the use of aterrizaje to describe a perfect landing of an airplane.Tatoeba #3209135 by Shishir, translation #44355 by CK
- La nave espacial hizo un aterrizaje perfecto.The spaceship made a perfect landing.This sentence demonstrates how aterrizaje can be used to describe a perfect landing of a spaceship.Tatoeba #1049335 by Shishir, translation #27026 by CK
- El aterrizaje del avión fue suave y precisoThe landing of the plane was smooth and precise
- La misión Apolo 11 realizó un alunizaje exitoso en 1969The Apollo 11 mission had a successful moon landing in 1969
- Debemos estar preparados para el aterrizaje en caso de turbulenciasWe should be ready for the landing in case of turbulence
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are talking on the phone after a flight.
- JavierHola Lucía, ¿cómo fue el aterrizaje?Hello Lucía, how was the landing?
- LucíaFue excelente, Javier, todo salió bien.It was excellent, Javier, everything went well.
- JavierMe alegro mucho de que estés bien.I am very glad that you are well.
- LucíaGracias, ahora voy a recoger mi maleta.Thanks, now I am going to pick up my suitcase.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “landing” translations and entries aterrizaje, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
