Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| resbaladizo | /resbalaˈdiθo/ /resbalaˈdiso/ |
| escurridizo | /eskuriˈdiθo/ /eskuriˈdiso/ |
| resbaloso | /resbaˈloso/ |
While resbaladizo is the standard term for a physical surface, escurridizo is used in a different sense to describe something or someone that is hard to catch or elusive, such as an animal or a person.
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective resbaladizo is derived from the verb resbalar, which means to slip.
Which one should you use?
Use resbaladizo to refer to a physical surface. In contrast, use escurridizo when you mean slippery in the sense of being elusive or difficult to capture.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Resbaloso is a common regional variant used in many parts of Latin America, whereas resbaladizo is more standard or common in Spain.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, the word must agree in gender with the noun it describes. For example, resbaladizo changes to resbaladiza when describing a feminine noun such as superficie.
How do you pronounce it?
/resbalaˈdiθo/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the verb resbalar can be used as a metaphor to describe someone who is totally unbothered by criticism, as if the insults simply 'slip off' them.
- The word escurridizo shares a root with the verb escurrir, which is used for everything from draining pasta to sweating.
- While resbaladizo describes a surface, the word escurridizo is used for someone who is 'slippery' in a moral sense, such as a politician who avoids giving a straight answer.
Examples in context
- El suelo está muy resbaloso.The floor is very slippery.This sentence shows how to use the form resbaloso to describe a floor.Tatoeba #2268139 by cueyayotl, translation #2268138 by _undertoad
- Cuidado, el suelo está resbaladizo.Be careful. The floor is slippery.This sentence shows how to use the form resbaladizo to describe a floor.Tatoeba #10188853 by Shishir, translation #3550128 by CK
- Camina con cuidado. El piso está resbaloso.Watch your step. The floor is slippery.Tatoeba #3169752 by marcelostockle, translation #274494 by CM
- El suelo está resbaladizoThe floor is slippery
- Ten cuidado, el hielo es deslizanteBe careful, the ice is slippery
- El piso está mojado y resbaladizoThe floor is wet and slippery
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A person warns another about a wet floor in the kitchen.
- ElenaTen cuidado, el suelo está muy resbaladizo.Be careful, the floor is very slippery.
- AlejandroGracias, Elena. No lo vi.Thanks, Elena. I didn't see it.
- ElenaSe cayó un poco de agua.Some water spilled.
- AlejandroVoy a secarlo ahora mismo.I will dry it right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slippery” translations and entries resbaladizo, escurridizo, resbaloso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
