arenas movedizas
/aˌɾenas mobeˈdiθas/feminine, plural
The English word "quicksand" is translated into Spanish as arenas movedizas.
Arenas movedizas refers to the type of sand. You can also describe it as una sustancia espesa y lodosa (a thick and muddy substance).
Meaning: type of sand (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form arenas movedizas is common, but you can also use the singular arena movediza to refer to the substance. In the plural form, the adjective movedizas must agree in gender (feminine) and number (plural) with the noun arenas.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˌɾenas mobeˈdiθas/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the adjective movediza comes from the verb mover, meaning 'to move'. While English uses 'quick' to mean fast, Spanish uses a word that literally describes the sand as 'shifting' or 'unstable'.
- In Spanish, the word for 'sand' arena is the same word used for a 'combat arena' or 'gladiator arena'.
- While arenas movedizas is the common term, Spanish also uses the word tremedal to refer specifically to swampy, unstable ground that acts like quicksand.
Examples in context
- Si te encuentras en arenas movedizas te hundirás más lentamente si no te mueves.If you find yourself in quicksand you'll sink more slowly if you don't move.This sentence shows how to describe the effect of being in arenas movedizas.Tatoeba #671731 by Shishir, translation #671666 by darinmex
- Los exploradores tuvieron cuidado al cruzar las arenas movedizas.The explorers were careful when crossing the quicksand.
- Con cuidado, evita el fango movedizo en el bosque.Carefully, avoid the muddy quicksand in the forest.
- Debemos evitar las arenas movedizas en la selva.We must avoid the quicksand in the jungle.
- El mapa indica que hay arenas movedizas cerca del río.The map indicates there is quicksand near the river.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are hiking in a tropical forest.
- SofíaJavier, ten cuidado con esas arenas movedizas.Javier, be careful with those quicksand pits.
- JavierGracias, Sofía, no las vi.Thanks, Sofía, I didn't see them.
- SofíaEs peligroso caminar por las arenas movedizas.It is dangerous to walk through the quicksand.
- JavierTienes razón, seguiremos por el camino firme.You're right, we will stick to the firm path.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “quicksand” translations and entries arenas movedizas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
