olas
standard, Mexico
Waves are olas in Mexico, and one wave is una ola. The word oleaje means the whole movement of waves, what English calls swell or surf conditions.
Meaning: moving ridges of water (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| olas | standard, Mexico |
| oleaje | swell |
Beach flags and local weather reports mention oleaje elevado when the sea is rough. Surfers on the Pacific coast say buenas olas for good waves.
Which one should you use?
Ola also appears in ola de calor, "heat wave". The English word "wave" for a hand wave is another word entirely, saludo.
Did you know?
- Puerto Escondido on the coast of Oaxaca is known for the big waves of Playa Zicatela, nicknamed the Mexican Pipeline.
Examples in context
- Las olas están muy grandes hoy.The waves are very big today.
- Hay oleaje fuerte en la playa.There is strong swell on the beach.
- Nos mojó una ola.A wave soaked us.
Example conversation
Chuy and his friend Alma watch surfers at Puerto Escondido.
- ChuyMira esas olas.Look at those waves.
- AlmaEstán enormes.They are huge.
- ChuyDicen que hay mucho oleaje hoy.They say there is a lot of swell today.
- AlmaMejor nos quedamos en la arena.We had better stay on the sand.
