columpio
/koˈlumpjo/masculine
In Spanish, the word for swing (hanging seat) is columpio. Wiktionary also lists hamaca and fuin fuan.
Meaning: hanging seat (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| columpio | /koˈlumpjo/ | masculine |
| hamaca | /aˈmaka/ | feminine |
| fuin fuan | /fwin fwan/ (from spelling rules) | Dominican Republic, feminine |
| tambesco | /tambesko/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The noun refers to a hanging seat. When you want to express the action of swinging someone or something else, use the verb columpiar. Other related verbs for rotating or moving objects include balancear, mecerse, bambolear and mecer.
Which one should you use?
Use columpio specifically for a standard playground swing. In contrast, hamaca refers to a hammock.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Dominican Republic, the term fuin fuan is used to refer to a swing.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word columpio is a masculine noun. Its plural form is columpios.
How do you pronounce it?
/koˈlumpjo/
Did you know?
- In certain contexts, the phrase estar en el columpio can be used to describe a state of indecision, similar to the English expression 'sitting on the fence'.
- The word hamaca is not originally Spanish but comes from the Taíno language of the Caribbean. It was adopted by Spanish explorers who encountered the indigenous people using them in the Antilles.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a hamaca is often used as a primary bed in tropical climates, whereas in English, a 'hammock' is often seen as a leisure item.
Examples in context
- Estaba en el parque, jugando en los columpios, cuando se le acercó un desconocido y le ofreció unos caramelos.She was in the park, playing on the swing, when a stranger came by and offered him caramels.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use columpio in the context of playing at a park.Tatoeba #2285458 by Shishir, translation #2325381 by BraveSentry
- En el parque hay un columpio muy divertidoThere's a very fun swing in the park.
- Ayer estuve en un parque con un columpio espectacularYesterday, I was at a park with an amazing swing.
- El niño se sienta en el columpio.The boy sits on the swing.
- Ese columpio de madera es muy viejo.That wooden swing is very old.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Daniel are at a playground.
- MaríaMira, Daniel, aquel columpio está vacío.Look, Daniel, that swing is empty.
- Daniel¡Qué bien! Yo quiero usarlo primero.Great! I want to use it first.
- MaríaNo seas impaciente, yo voy primero.Don't be impatient, I'm going first.
- DanielEstá bien, María, tú puedes empezar.Okay, María, you can start.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “swing” translations and entries columpio, hamaca, fuin fuan, 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 columpio, hamaca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
