aplanadora
/aplanaˈdoɾa/
The English phrase steam roller is translated into Spanish as aplanadora.
A steam roller refers to a heavy vehicle equipped with a large roller used to flatten and smooth surfaces such as roads.
What does it mean word for word?
The word aplanadora is derived from the verb aplanar, which means to flatten and the suffix -adora, which denotes a tool or machine that performs a specific action.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, it is common to hear apisonadora instead of rodillo compactador.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is feminine, meaning it is used with the feminine article la or the feminine adjective una.
How do you pronounce it?
/aplanaˈdoɾa/
Did you know?
- In a figurative sense, aplanadora is used in Spanish sports and politics to describe a team or candidate that crushes the opposition with overwhelming force.
- The root of aplanadora traces back to the Latin 'plānus', which is the same ancestor for the English words 'plain' and 'plane'.
- While English uses 'steam' in its name, the Spanish aplanadora focuses entirely on the action of the machine, which is 'to flatten'.
Examples in context
- La aplanadora está pavimentando la calle.The steam roller is paving the street.
- La aplanadora está trabajando en la calle.The steam roller is working on the street.
- Necesitamos una aplanadora para el nuevo pavimento.We need a steam roller for the new pavement.
- El conductor maneja la aplanadora con cuidado.The driver drives the steam roller carefully.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are watching road construction from a distance.
- Mateo¿Ves esa aplanadora allí?Do you see that steam roller over there?
- ElenaSí, es muy grande.Yes, it is very big.
- MateoEstá alisando el asfalto nuevo.It is smoothing the new asphalt.
- ElenaParece un trabajo pesado.It looks like heavy work.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry aplanadora, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aplanadora, CC BY-SA 4.0.
