longitud de onda
/lonxitud de onda/from spelling rulesfeminine
In Spanish, 'wavelength' is translated as longitud de onda. Wiktionary also lists largor de ondo and largura de onda.
Meaning: the length of a single cycle of a wave (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| longitud de onda | /lonxitud de onda/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| largor de ondo | /laɾɡoɾ de ondo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| largura de onda | /laɾɡuɾa de onda/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| largueza de onda | /laɾɡeθa de onda/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /laɾɡesa de onda/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
The term refers to the length of a single cycle of a wave. When using the idiomatic expression to say you are 'on the same wavelength' as someone, use the phrase en la misma longitud de onda. Note that the preposition en (in/on) is used rather than con (with).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of longitud (length), de (of) and onda (wave).
Which one should you use?
Other forms include the masculine largor de ondo, the feminine largura de onda and the feminine largueza de onda.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun longitud is feminine, so any accompanying adjectives must also be feminine, such as la longitud de onda larga.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word onda is often used informally to describe a person's 'vibe' or the general atmosphere of a place.
- The word onda shares a common root with the English word 'undulate', which describes a wavy motion.
- While longitud de onda is the standard scientific term, the word longitud is also used in Spanish to refer to the geographic coordinate of 'longitude'.
Examples in context
- Imagino que no estamos en la misma longitud de onda.I guess we're not on the same wavelength.This sentence shows how to use the idiomatic expression longitud de onda to indicate being in agreement or thought with someone.Tatoeba #6704529 by arh, translation #3724245 by CM
- ¿Cuál es la longitud de onda de esta señal de radio?What is the wavelength of this radio signal?
- Me encanta cómo ella y yo estamos en la misma onda.I love how she and I are on the same wavelength.
- La longitud de onda es muy corta.The wavelength is very short.
- Debemos medir la longitud de onda del láser.We must measure the wavelength of the laser.
Example conversation
Two students are studying physics together.
- MateoNo entiendo este diagrama de la longitud de onda.I don't understand this wavelength diagram.
- LucíaMira, la longitud de onda es la distancia entre crestas.Look, the wavelength is the distance between crests.
- MateoAh, ahora lo veo mucho más claro, gracias.Ah, now I see it much more clearly, thanks.
- LucíaDe nada, Mateo. Sigamos con el siguiente ejercicio.You're welcome, Mateo. Let's continue with the next exercise.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wavelength” translations and entries longitud de onda, 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 de, largueza, largura, longitud, onda, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
