tilde
/ˈtilde/feminine, masculine
The Spanish word for "tilde" is tilde. If unsure, use tilde. Wiktionary also lists virgulilla.
Meaning: diacritical mark (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tilde | /ˈtilde/ | feminine, masculine |
| virgulilla | /biɾɡuˈliʝa/ | feminine |
The term refers to a diacritical mark.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of tilde is /ˈtilde/.
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'tilde' to refer to the wavy line over an 'n', in Spanish, the word tilde specifically refers to the acute accent mark over a vowel, such as in canción.
- In Spanish, the act of adding a tilde to a word is expressed by the verb tildar, which can also mean 'to characterize' or 'to label' someone in a figurative sense.
- The Spanish word tilde shares an ancestral root with the English word 'title', both tracing back to the Latin 'titulus', meaning a heading or label.
Examples in context
- Esa palabra lleva una tilde.That word has an accent mark.
- No olvides poner la tilde en la letra á.Don't forget to put the accent mark on the letter á.
- La tilde es necesaria para la pronunciación.The accent mark is necessary for the pronunciation.
Example conversation
A student asks a teacher about a spelling correction.
- Daniel¿Dónde debo poner la tilde en esta palabra?Where should I put the accent mark on this word?
- LucíaDaniel, la tilde va sobre la segunda vocal.Daniel, the accent mark goes over the second vowel.
- DanielEntiendo, gracias por la ayuda.I understand, thanks for the help.
- LucíaDe nada, tu ortografía está mejorando.You're welcome, your spelling is improving.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tilde” translations and entries tilde, virgulilla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tilde, virgulilla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
