palanca
/paˈlanka/feminine
The English word "lever" can be translated into Spanish as palanca or maneta.
Meaning: small such piece to trigger or control a mechanical device (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| palanca | /paˈlanka/ | feminine |
| maneta | /maneta/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
Both terms refer to a small piece used to trigger or control a mechanical device. The related verb apalancar or palanquear means to move something using a lever, while in a financial context, the phrase ampliar capital is used to mean increasing the share of debt. Additionally, the reflexive verb apalancarse is used colloquially to mean to lounge around, to lean back or to get stuck in a certain position.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of palanca is palancas. Both palanca and maneta are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/paˈlanka/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, palanca is also a slang term for 'influence' or a 'connection' used to get things done.
- The term palanca originally referred to a 'phalanx' in Greek, which described both a tight body of soldiers and the thick logs used to support fortifications.
- Although palanca refers to a lever, the word maneta comes from mano, the Spanish word for 'hand', because it is the part the hand grips.
Examples in context
- Por favor, levanta la palanca.Please push up the lever.This sentence is useful for practicing the command to push up the palanca.Tatoeba #5663903 by arh, translation #3620497 by JimBreen
- El tornillo, la palanca, la cuña, la polea, etc. se llaman máquinas simples.The screw, the lever, the wedge, the pulley, etc. are called simple machines.This sentence is useful for identifying palanca as one of several simple machines.Tatoeba #5862170 by albrusgher, translation #35807 by CM
- Hay linternas que no necesitan pilas. Unas se cargan agitándolas, otras girando una manivela y otras apretando repetidas veces una palanca.There are torches that do not need batteries. Some are charged by shaking them, some by cranking a handle and others by repeatedly pressing a lever.This sentence is useful for describing how to operate a device by pressing a palanca.Tatoeba #1365074 by wallebot, translation #3615749 by catcher
- ¿Podrías mover la palanca hacia la izquierda, por favor?Could you move the lever to the left, please?
- Ayúdame a mover la palanquita del carro.Help me move the lever of the car.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are working in a repair shop.
- DanielLa palanca de esta máquina está rota.The lever of this machine is broken.
- ElenaDebemos cambiar la palanca por una nueva.We must replace the lever with a new one.
- Daniel¿Tienes una palanca de repuesto?Do you have a spare lever?
- ElenaSí, la tengo en el cajón.Yes, I have it in the drawer.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lever” translations and entries palanca, maneta, 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 palanca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
