tobogán
/toboˈɡan/
The English phrase "playground slide" is tobogán in Spanish.
tobogán refers to a playground slide.
What does it mean word for word?
The word tobogán can also refer to a sled or a bobsled in certain contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, especially Mexico, people often use the term resbaladera to refer to a playground slide. In Mexico, the word resbaladilla is frequently used to refer to a playground slide. In some Latin American countries like Chile and Colombia, resbalín is a common term for a playground slide.
How do you pronounce it?
/toboˈɡan/
Did you know?
- The word tobogán is actually an English loanword that traveled through French and arrived in Spanish from North American Indigenous languages.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, tobogán is used to describe the 'slide' or 'chute' found in industrial or plumbing systems.
- While tobogán is standard, the term resbaladera comes from the Spanish verb resbalar, which means 'to slip' or 'to slide'.
Examples in context
- Puedes encontrarme en el tobogán del parque.You can find me at the playground slide in the park.
- ¡Vamos a la resbaladera!Let's go to the playground slide!
- El tobogán es muy rápido.The slide is very fast.
- ¿Quieres subir por el tobogán?Do you want to go up the slide?
- El niño está en el tobogán.The boy is on the slide.
Example conversation
Two children are playing at a local park.
- Sofía¡Mira ese tobogán azul, Javier!Look at that blue slide, Javier!
- JavierEs muy grande y divertido.It is very big and fun.
- Sofía¿Podemos ir al tobogán ahora?Can we go to the slide now?
- JavierSí, vamos a jugar.Yes, let's go play.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tobogán, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tobogán, CC BY-SA 4.0.
