hacer cola
/aθeɾ kola/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'wait in line' is translated into Spanish as hacer cola.
The phrase is used to describe the act of standing in a queue of people to wait for one's turn for a service or product.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, hacer cola means 'to make tail'.
Which one should you use?
While hacer cola is common, many people in certain regions prefer to use hacer fila (to make a line) to avoid the secondary meaning of the word cola as 'buttocks'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and parts of Central America, it is common to use the verb formarse instead of hacer cola or hacer fila. In many Latin American countries, hacer fila is used interchangeably with hacer cola.
How does it change in a sentence?
The gerund form haciendo cola is used to describe the continuous action of making or waiting in a line.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθeɾ kola/
Did you know?
- The word cola is a homonym that can refer to three entirely different things: a 'tail' from Latin, 'glue' from Ancient Greek, and even a soft drink from the Niger-Congo language family.
- The phrase hacer cola uses the verb 'to make' rather than 'to wait', suggesting that the act of queuing is an active creation of a line rather than a passive state of waiting.
- Although cola and fila both mean 'line', fila specifically refers to a straight row, which is why it is used in military contexts for soldiers standing in formation.
Examples in context
- Hay que hacer cola para entrar al boliche.You have to wait in line to get into the club.This sentence shows how to use hacer cola to express the necessity of waiting in line to enter a club.Tatoeba #1309346 by hayastan, translation #8565920 by guavalava
- Por favor, haga cola para esperar su turnoPlease wait in line for your turn
- Le solicitamos hacer fila y esperar pacientementeWe request that you line up and wait patiently
- Es importante permanecer en la fila hasta que sea su turnoIt is important to stay in line until it is your turn
- Vamos a hacer cola para comprar las entradasLet's wait in line to buy the tickets
- No te preocupes, hacemos fila juntosDon't worry, we'll wait in line together
- Estamos esperando en la fila para pedir nuestra comidaWe are waiting in line to order our food
- Tienes que hacer cola en la taquilla para comprar los boletosYou have to wait in line at the ticket booth to buy the tickets
- Voy a hacer fila en la panadería para comprar el panI'm going to wait in line at the bakery to buy bread
- Debemos esperar en la fila para subir al autobúsWe must wait in line to board the bus
- No te preocupes, te guardo el lugar en la filaDon't worry, I'll save your spot in line
- Por favor, fórmese en la fila para recoger su paquetePlease get in line to pick up your package
- Debemos hacer la cola para ingresar al museoWe need to wait in line to enter the museum
- Tenemos que hacer cola para comprar los boletos.We have to wait in line to buy the tickets.
- No quiero hacer cola en el banco.I don't want to wait in line at the bank.
Example conversation
At a coffee shop entrance.
- AlejandroSofía, ¿tienes que hacer cola para entrar?Sofía, do you have to wait in line to enter?
- SofíaSí, Alejandro, hay mucha gente hoy.Yes, Alejandro, there are many people today.
- AlejandroEntonces, esperemos un poco fuera.Then, let's wait outside for a bit.
- SofíaMe parece buena idea.I think that is a good idea.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hacer cola, 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 cola, hacer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
