ruleta
/ruˈleta/
The Spanish word for spinner is ruleta.
ruleta refers to someone or something that spins. In Spain, the term fidget spinner is sometimes used to refer specifically to the popular handheld toy.
Meaning: someone or something who spins (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the English term fidget spinner is occasionally used to name the toy.
How do you pronounce it?
/ruˈleta/
Did you know?
- In a sporting context, such as football, ruleta refers to a specific 360-degree spin move used by players to bypass a defender.
- The word ruleta is also used in Spanish to describe the 'Russian roulette' game of chance, where a revolver is used as the spinner.
- The term ruleta shares a linguistic ancestor with the English word 'roll'. Both trace back to the Latin root 'rotula', meaning a small wheel.
Examples in context
- A los niños les encanta jugar con los fidgets. ¡Son muy divertidos!Children love playing with fidgets. They are very fun!
- Me gustaría comprarme un hand spinner para distraerme durante el día.I would like to buy myself a hand spinner to distract myself during the day.
- La ruleta de colores gira rápido.The colored spinner spins fast.
- Esa ruleta de madera es muy antigua.That wooden spinner is very old.
- Puse la ruleta sobre la mesa.I put the spinner on the table.
Example conversation
Javier and María are talking about a toy.
- Javier¿Qué es ese objeto, María?What is that object, María?
- MaríaEs una ruleta para desestresarse.It is a spinner for stress relief.
- JavierSe ve muy divertida.It looks very fun.
- MaríaPrueba mi ruleta un momento.Try my spinner for a moment.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ruleta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ruleta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
