en espiral
/en espiɾal/from spelling rules
The English phrase "spiraling" is translated into Spanish as en espiral.
The phrase en espiral describes something moving or winding in a continuous curve that gets progressively wider or narrower. It is used for physical descriptions, such as a staircase, as well as metaphorically to describe processes like economic inflation or emotional states.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, people often say Estar en barrena to mean "spiraling".
How does it change in a sentence?
While espiral is the noun, it can also function as an adjective in many contexts, though en espiral is the standard way to describe a continuous motion or shape.
How do you pronounce it?
/en espiɾal/
What mistakes should you avoid?
If you want to express that a situation is "spiraling downward" in an informal way, you can use the phrase Ir en picada, which means "going into a nosedive".
Did you know?
- In Spanish architectural descriptions, a 'spiral staircase' is more traditionally called escalera de caracol, meaning 'snail staircase', rather than escalera en espiral.
- While 'en espiral' is the standard term, the Mexican expression Estar en barrena uses a word that originally refers to a large, heavy drill bit or a corkscrew. This term adds a sense of rapid, uncontrollable rotation to the idea of 'spiraling'.
- In specialized fields like mathematics or engineering, a spiral-like shape is often called a hélice. Spanish uses this term to distinguish specific helical curves more strictly than English does.
Examples in context
- Girar en el olvido me haces tú. Estoy en espiral en el vacío.You make me turn in the oblivion. I'm spiraling in the void.This sentence illustrates the use of en espiral to describe a metaphorical state of being in the void.Tatoeba #9098811 by rafaeldejesus8199, translation #9098823 by rafaeldejesus8199
- El proyecto está avanzando en espiralThe project is progressing in a spiraling manner
- El precio de la gasolina se ha vuelto locoThe price of gasoline is spiraling out of control
- La economía está yendo en picadaThe economy is spiraling down
- Mis pensamientos dan vueltas sin pararMy thoughts are spiraling around endlessly
- El precio de las viviendas está yendo en picadaHousing prices are spiraling down
- La mente vuela en espiral cuando estás enamoradoThe mind spirals when you're in love
- El humo sube en espiral hacia el cielo.The smoke rises in a spiral towards the sky.
- El dibujo de la escalera es en espiral.The design of the staircase is in a spiral.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are looking at a seashell on the beach.
- SofíaMira esta concha, tiene una forma en espiral.Look at this shell, it has a spiral shape.
- AlejandroEs verdad, es muy bonita, Sofía.It is true, it is very pretty, Sofía.
- Sofía¿Crees que todas las conchas son así?Do you think all shells are like that?
- AlejandroNo, pero esta es perfecta, Sofía.No, but this one is perfect, Sofía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
