rectángulo
/reɡˈtanɡulo/masculine
The English word 'rectangle' is translated into Spanish as rectángulo.
rectángulo refers to the geometric quadrilateral. In technical or formal contexts, you may encounter the phrase La figura rectangular to mean 'the rectangular figure'.
Meaning: quadrilateral (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term cuadradito (meaning 'little square') is sometimes used to refer to small rectangles.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun rectángulo becomes plural as rectángulos.
How do you pronounce it?
/reɡˈtanɡulo/
Did you know?
- While rectángulo is the geometric term, Spanish speakers often use the word cuadro to describe any four-sided frame or painting, regardless of whether it is a perfect square.
- In Spanish, the word recto is used both for the geometric 'straight' and for the 'rectum' in anatomy.
- The word rectángulo comes from the Latin 'rectus' meaning 'right' and 'angulus' meaning 'angle'.
Examples in context
- Los lados opuestos de un rectángulo son paralelos.The opposite sides of a rectangle are parallel.This sentence uses rectángulo to describe the parallel nature of opposite sides.Tatoeba #1209008 by marcelostockle, translation #245518 by CM
- El área de un triángulo es la mitad del área del rectángulo con base y altura equivalentes.The area of a triangle is half of the area of the rectangle with equivalent base and height.This sentence uses rectángulo to relate the area of a triangle to that of a rectangle.Tatoeba #1190890 by marcelostockle, translation #1190893 by CM
- Figuras geométricas importantes son el triángulo, el cuadrado, el rectángulo, el círculo, el paralelogramo y el trapecio.Some important geometric shapes are the triangle, the square, the rectangle, the circle, the parallelogram and the trapezium.This sentence uses rectángulo within a list of important geometric shapes.Tatoeba #1134239 by marcelostockle, translation #1363639 by marcelostockle
- La figura rectangular es común en la geometríaThe rectangular figure is common in geometry
- Mira, hice un rectángulo chico con los palitos de heladoLook, I made a small rectangle with popsicle sticks
- Dibuja un rectánguloito en esta páginaDraw a little rectangle on this page
- un rectángulo perfectoA perfect rectangle
- un rectángulo coloridoA colorful rectangle
- Dibuja un rectángulo en el cuaderno de matemáticas.Draw a rectangle in the math notebook.
- El edificio tiene ventanas rectangulares.The building has rectangular windows.
- Corté la torta en trozos rectangulares.I cut the cake into rectangular pieces.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are working on an art project together.
- María¿Qué forma tiene esta caja?What shape is this box?
- AlejandroEs un rectángulo, María.It is a rectangle, María.
- MaríaPerfecto, encaja muy bien.Perfect, it fits very well.
- AlejandroSí, le queda bien al diseño.Yes, it suits the design.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rectangle” translations and entries rectángulo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rectángulo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
