arremolinado
/aremoliˈnado/
The English phrase "swirly" is translated into Spanish as arremolinado.
arremolinado is used to describe something that has a shape or pattern consisting of spirals or curls. In more formal contexts, you can describe a swirly motion as movimiento en espiral or use the term espiral to mean spiral.
What does it mean word for word?
The word arremolinado is derived from the verb arremolinarse, which means to form a whirlwind or a swirl.
Which one should you use?
While arremolinado is the standard adjective, you can also describe a pattern as being en espiral, which means "in a spiral".
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, arremolinado must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use arremolinada for feminine nouns and arremolinados for masculine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/aremoliˈnado/
Did you know?
- The core of arremolinado is the word molino, which means 'mill'. This implies that the very essence of a 'swirly' thing is something that turns or rotates like a millstone.
- The word remolino is used to describe both a whirlwind in the air and a whirlpool in the water. This single term covers swirly motions regardless of the element.
- In Spanish literature, the verb arremolinarse is often used metaphorically to describe the chaotic way a crowd of people gathers and swirls together.
Examples in context
- ¡Mira cómo los remolinos de hojas vuelan en el viento!Look at how the whirls of leaves fly in the wind!
- El diseño arremolinado de la alfombra es bonito.The swirly design of the rug is pretty.
- Me gusta el patrón arremolinado de la tela.I like the swirly pattern of the fabric.
- El humo formó un dibujo arremolinado en el aire.The smoke formed a swirly drawing in the air.
Example conversation
María and Mateo are looking at some decorative papers in a store.
- María¿Te gusta este papel con un estilo arremolinado?Do you like this paper with a swirly style?
- MateoSí, ese patrón arremolinado es muy elegante, María.Yes, that swirly pattern is very elegant, María.
- MaríaCreo que quedaría muy bien en tu cuaderno.I think it would look very good in your notebook.
- MateoTienes razón, voy a comprarlo ahora mismo.You are right, I am going to buy it right now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry arremolinado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
