bajar la ventanilla
/baxaɾ la bentaniʝa/from spelling rules
To roll down the window in Spanish is to bajar la ventanilla.
This phrase is used to describe opening a car window by moving it downwards. In Spanish, you 'lower' the window rather than 'rolling' it, as the verb bajar is the standard way to describe this action. In some regions, vidrio can be used interchangeably with ventana to mean window.
Which one should you use?
To say 'roll up the window', you use the verb subir (to go up/raise) instead of bajar.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Regional preferences vary: in Mexico, Baja la ventana, por favor is common. In Spain, Baja la ventanilla, por favor or Abre la ventanilla, por favor is more typical. And in South America, Baja el vidrio, por favor or Abre el vidrio, por favor might be heard frequently.
How do you pronounce it?
/baxaɾ la bentaniʝa/
Did you know?
- The verb bajar is distantly related to the Latin word 'bassus', which is the ancestor of the English word 'bass' in music.
- The verb bajar is used for both lowering a window and getting off a bus or train.
- The word ventanilla is actually a diminutive of ventana, making the car window literally a 'little window'.
Examples in context
- Gire la manija para bajar la ventanilla.Turn the knob to roll down the window.This sentence shows how to use the phrase bajar la ventanilla when giving instructions about a car knob.Tatoeba #994984 by hayastan, translation #10286216 by LimeGreenTeknii
- Señor, ¿podría bajar la ventana, por favor?Sir, could you please roll down the window?
- Oye, ¿puedes bajar la ventana?Hey, can you roll down the window?
- ¿Podrías abrir la ventana, por favor?Could you please roll down the window?
- No puedo bajar la ventanilla del coche.I cannot roll down the car window.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are driving in a very hot car.
- JavierHace mucho calor, ¿puedes bajar la ventanilla?It is very hot, can you roll down the window?
- LucíaClaro, voy a bajar la ventanilla ahora.Sure, I will roll down the window now.
- JavierGracias, Lucía, así entrará un poco de aire.Thanks, Lucía, that way some air will come in.
- LucíaDe nada, Javier, espero que refresque.You're welcome, Javier, I hope it cools down.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bajar, la, ventanilla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
