cordillera
/koɾdiˈʝeɾa/feminine
The English phrase mountain range is translated into Spanish as cordillera. Wiktionary also lists sierra.
Meaning: line of mountains (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cordillera | /koɾdiˈʝeɾa/ | feminine |
| sierra | /ˈsjera/ | feminine |
Both cordillera and sierra are used to describe a line of mountains. You may also use the term cadena montañosa, which translates to mountain chain, as an interchangeable option.
Which one should you use?
While both terms mean mountain range, cordillera is a more technical and formal term used in geography. In contrast, sierra is very common in both technical and everyday contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both cordillera and sierra are feminine nouns. Because sierra is feminine, it takes the article la (la sierra). For the plural form of cordillera, use the feminine article and ending las cordilleras.
How do you pronounce it?
/koɾdiˈʝeɾa/
Did you know?
- The word sierra is a homonym in Spanish, as it is also the word for 'saw' the tool. This describes the jagged, tooth-like appearance of a mountain range's peaks.
- Because cordillera is derived from a diminutive of 'rope', the word literally suggests a 'little rope' of mountains.
- Many places in the Western United States use the word sierra in their names, such as the Sierra Nevada, because Spanish explorers used the term to map the region.
Examples in context
- El Himalaya es una cordillera situada en el continente asiático.The Himalayas are a mountain range located on the Asian continent.This sentence is useful for identifying the location of the Himalayas using cordillera.Tatoeba #13129999 by Adelpa, translation #13139599 by rul
- Sierra Madre OccidentalWestern Mother Mountain Range (part of the Sierra Madre)This sentence is useful for naming the Sierra Madre Occidental using sierra.
- La cordillera de los Himalayas es la cadena montañosa más alta del mundoThe Himalayas is the highest mountain range in the world
- Vivo cerca de la sierra de GuadarramaI live near the Guadarrama mountain range
- Las montañas Rocosas son impresionantesThe Rocky Mountains are impressive
- El Everest está en la cordillera del HimalayaMount Everest is in the Himalayan mountain range
- La sierra volcánica de los Tuxtlas es una maravilla naturalThe volcanic mountain range of the Tuxtlas is a natural wonder
- Esa cordillera es muy impresionante.That mountain range is very impressive.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are looking at a map during a hiking trip.
- Sofía¿Qué cordillera estamos cruzando?Which mountain range are we crossing?
- AlejandroEs la cordillera central del país.It is the central mountain range of the country.
- SofíaSe ve increíble desde aquí.It looks incredible from here.
- AlejandroSí, es un paisaje espectacular.Yes, it is a spectacular landscape.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mountain range” translations and entries cordillera, sierra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cordillera, sierra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
