pendiente
/penˈdjente/feminine
The English word 'slope' can be translated into Spanish as pendiente. Wiktionary also lists cuesta and declivio.
Meaning: area of ground that tends evenly upward or downward (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pendiente | /penˈdjente/ | feminine |
| cuesta | /ˈkwesta/ | feminine |
| declivio | /deklibjo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| declive | /deˈklibe/ | masculine |
| declividad | /deklibidad/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| ladera | /laˈdeɾa/ | feminine |
| vertiente | /beɾˈtjente/ | masculine |
| ribazo | /riˈbaθo/ /riˈbaso/ |
masculine |
| repecho | /reˈpet͡ʃo/ | masculine |
| costera | /kosˈteɾa/ | feminine |
| subida | /suˈbida/ | feminine |
The term refers to an area of ground that tends evenly upward or downward.
Which one should you use?
While pendiente is the most versatile term and is used in both general conversation and technical contexts like mathematics or engineering, other words are more specific. Cuesta often implies a slope that one must travel up or down, such as a road or a path on a hill. Ladera specifically refers to the side of a mountain or a hill. Subida is used when the focus is on the upward direction or the act of ascending a slope. Declive is used to emphasize a downward slope or a descent.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, pendiente means slope, but it can also function as an adjective meaning 'hanging' or 'pending' (as in a task).
How do you pronounce it?
/penˈdjente/
Did you know?
- While cuesta means 'slope', the Spanish phrase está cuesta arriba is used figuratively to describe a task that is becoming increasingly difficult.
- While we use 'coast' to describe the edge of the sea in English, the Spanish word cuesta shares an ancient root with 'coast' via the Latin 'costa', which originally meant 'rib' or 'side'.
- A repecho is not just any slope, but specifically a short, steep, and often exhausting incline that you must tackle in a burst of energy.
Examples in context
- Subimos la empinada cuesta.We climbed the steep slope.This sentence shows how to use cuesta to describe a steep slope being climbed.Tatoeba #5809521 by albrusgher, translation #248630 by CK
- Escalamos una empinada cuesta.We climbed a steep slope.This sentence is another way to describe climbing a steep cuesta.Tatoeba #5809522 by albrusgher, translation #2154898 by oneconor
- El coche subió la cuesta a duras penas.The car went up the slope with great difficulty.This sentence illustrates using cuesta to describe a car traveling up a slope.Tatoeba #1323510 by massama, translation #11067511 by Luornu
- La pendiente de la montaña era muy empinadaThe slope of the mountain was very steep
- La inclinación de la carretera era pronunciadaThe slope of the road was steep
- Subir esa cuesta en bicicleta es un retoClimbing that slope on a bicycle is a challenge
- La loma era difícil de escalar debido a su terreno rocosoThe slope was difficult to climb due to its rocky terrain
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are hiking up a mountain.
- JavierEsta pendiente es muy fuerte.This slope is very steep.
- LucíaSí, Javier, estoy muy cansada.Yes, Javier, I am very tired.
- JavierPodemos descansar en la pendiente.We can rest on the slope.
- LucíaBuena idea, Lucía necesita un respiro.Good idea, Lucía needs a break.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slope” translations and entries pendiente, cuesta, declivio, declive, ladera, vertiente, ribazo, repecho, costera, subida, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuesta, declive, pendiente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
