paralelo
/paɾaˈlelo/
The Spanish word for parallel is paralelo.
The word paralelo is used as an adjective to describe things that are equally distant from one another at all points. It can also function as a noun to refer to a line of latitude. The phrase pensamiento paralelo is used to express the concept of parallel thinking. For the abstract concept of parallelism, use the noun paralelismo.
Meaning: equally distant from one another at all points (adj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, paralelo must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use paralela for feminine nouns, paralelos for masculine plural nouns and paralelas for feminine plural nouns. To describe things running alongside or in conjunction with something else, you can use the phrase en paralelo con, though paralelo a is also common.
How do you pronounce it?
/paɾaˈlelo/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word paralelo is commonly used in political contexts to describe a 'shadow' organization or an unofficial government, such as a gobierno paralelo.
- In Spanish literature and criticism, paralelismo refers to a rhetorical device where similar grammatical structures are repeated for emphasis.
- While paralelo means 'parallel' in a spatial sense, the phrase en paralelo is often used in business and tech to mean tasks happening simultaneously.
Examples in context
- El camino va paralelo al río.The road runs parallel to the river.This sentence shows how to use paralelo to describe a road's direction relative to a river.Tatoeba #1945891 by marcelostockle, translation #1216275 by jared1981
- El paseo está paralelo a la costa.The promenade runs parallel to the shore.This sentence demonstrates the use of paralelo regarding a promenade and the shore.Tatoeba #2759280 by wallebot, translation #324526 by sundown
- El río corre en paralelo con la calle principal.The river runs parallel to the main street.This sentence illustrates the use of paralelo within the phrase en paralelo con to describe a river and a street.Tatoeba #1517060 by marcelostockle, translation #45765 by bekindtoall
- Las líneas paralelas nunca se cruzan.Parallel lines never intersect.
- Ambas compañías ofrecen servicios paralelos.Both companies offer parallel services.
- Todas las políticas económicas son paralelas en ambos países.All economic policies are parallel in both countries.
- Estaba estudiando y al mismo tiempo contestando mensajes.I was studying and texting at the same time.
- Voy a trabajar y de forma paralela preparar la cena.I'm going to work and simultaneously prepare dinner.
- Los niños jugaban y a la vez cantaban.The kids were playing and singing at the same time.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are drawing a diagram for a school project.
- LucíaDibuja el segundo trazo paralelo al primero.Draw the second line parallel to the first one.
- JavierEstá bien, pero no quedan muy rectos.Okay, but they aren't very straight.
- LucíaUsa la regla para que sea realmente paralelo.Use the ruler so that it is truly parallel.
- JavierAhora sí, ya quedó perfecto.Now it is, it looks perfect now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “parallel” translations and entries paralelo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
