olas
/olas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "waves" is translated into Spanish as olas.
olas refers to the ridges of water that move across the surface of an ocean or a lake.
Which one should you use?
While olas is the standard term for waves, you may encounter onditas used as an affectionate colloquialism meaning "little waves". In certain coastal areas, the term marolas is also used to refer to waves.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term marolas is used in some regions, particularly in coastal areas.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of waves is ola. Because olas is a feminine noun, the definite article used with the plural form must be the feminine plural las, resulting in las olas for "the waves".
How do you pronounce it?
/olas/
Did you know?
- To 'wave' your hand in greeting is not expressed using the noun ola, but by the verb saludar or the phrase hacer señas.
- The word ola is a homophone of hola, which means 'hello'. In spoken Spanish, these two words sound identical, though they are spelled differently.
- The word olas is used in the expression hacer olas, which can metaphorically mean to create trouble or cause a stir in a social situation.
Examples in context
- Las olas están altas.The waves are high.This sentence is useful for describing the height of the waves using olas.Tatoeba #1594603 by marcelostockle, translation #282339 by CK
- Las olas son enormes.The waves are enormous.This sentence is useful for describing the size of the waves using olas.Tatoeba #7838528 by arh, translation #10622750 by sangelo
- Las olas están hoy altas.The waves are high today.This sentence is useful for describing how high the waves are today using olas.Tatoeba #1304906 by ildefonk, translation #242955 by CK
- Me encanta escuchar el sonido de las olas del mar.I love listening to the sound of the sea waves.
- ¡Mira cómo bailan las onditas en la orilla!Look at how the little waves dance at the shore!
- Las ondulaciones del río reflejaban la luz del atardecer.The river's ripples reflected the light of the sunset.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are watching the ocean from a balcony.
- ElenaMira las olas, Javier.Look at the waves, Javier.
- JavierSí, las olas son muy bonitas hoy.Yes, the waves are very beautiful today.
- Elena¿Quieres ir a surfear esas olas?Do you want to go surfing those waves?
- JavierNo, prefiero mirar las olas desde aquí.No, I prefer watching the waves from here.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
