preliminares
/pɾeliminaɾes/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase "prelims" is translated as preliminares.
preliminares refers to preliminary examinations or events that take place before a main competition or final test. In the specific context of sports or tournaments, los preliminares is used to describe the qualifying rounds or heats that precede a final.
Which one should you use?
While preliminares is the most common way to refer to a set of preliminary rounds, you can use the singular form el preliminar to refer to a single preliminary event or stage. For more formal or technical contexts, such as official competition documentation, the phrase fase preliminar is often used instead of the standalone noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form preliminares is standard for a set of rounds, but the singular form el preliminar can be used when discussing one specific stage.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾeliminaɾes/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, if you refer to 'los preliminares' in a social or romantic context, people may misunderstand you by thinking you are discussing sexual foreplay.
- While 'preliminares' works for sports, a student in Spain might instead use the word oposiciones to describe the intense preliminary exams required to become a civil servant.
- In some Latin American legal systems, la fase preliminar is a critical judicial stage where a judge decides if there is enough evidence to even start a formal trial.
Examples in context
- Mi universidad requiere que aprobemos los exámenes preliminares antes de tomar los exámenes finales.My university requires us to pass the preliminary exams before taking the final exams.
- Antes de avanzar a las fases posteriores del proyecto, debemos completar las fases iniciales.Before moving on to the subsequent phases of the project, we must complete the initial stages.
- Tengo que estudiar para las pruebas previas de matemáticas esta semana.I have to study for the math preliminary tests this week.
- Los preliminares de la carrera son mañana.The racing prelims are tomorrow.
- Tengo que estudiar para los preliminares.I have to study for the prelims.
- Ganó fácilmente en los preliminares.He won easily in the prelims.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are talking about her upcoming tennis tournament.
- Mateo¿Estás nerviosa por los preliminares?Are you nervous about the prelims?
- SofíaUn poco, pero estoy preparada.A little, but I am prepared.
- MateoSeguro que te irá muy bien.I am sure you will do very well.
- SofíaGracias, Mateo, lo intentaré.Thanks, Mateo, I will try.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
