ondulado
/onduˈlado/
The English word 'wavy' is translated into Spanish as ondulado.
Ondulado is an adjective used to describe something that is full of waves.
Meaning: full of waves (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word ondulado is derived from the noun onda, which means 'wave'.
Which one should you use?
While ondulado describes a shape that is wavy, the related form ondulante is used to describe something that is currently moving in a wavy or undulating motion.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you may use ondulado for wavy hair or objects, but you may also hear the informal term chino used to describe wavy or curly hair and objects.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, ondulado must agree in both gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use ondulada for feminine singular nouns, ondulados for masculine plural nouns and onduladas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/onduˈlado/
Did you know?
- In Mexico, the word chino is used for 'wavy' or 'curly' hair, despite chino normally meaning 'Chinese'.
- In Spanish, the word onda is also a common slang term for 'vibe' or 'mood', such as when someone says qué buena onda to mean 'what a good vibe'.
- The root word onda comes from the Latin word unda, which is also the ancestor of the English word 'undulate'.
Examples in context
- Tom tiene pelo ondulado.Tom has wavy hair.This sentence is useful for describing hair with ondulado.Tatoeba #3520543 by hayastan, translation #2648362 by CK
- Él tiene pelo castaño ondulado y ojos oscuros.He has wavy brown hair and dark eyes.Tatoeba #3520542 by hayastan, translation #2490807 by Hybrid
- El dibujo ilustra una cara con labios ondulados.The picture I drew depicts a face with wavy lips.This sentence is useful for describing lips with ondulado.Tatoeba #4553801 by swyter, translation #4545868 by wavylips
- Tiene un cabello ondulado muy hermoso.She has very beautiful wavy hair.
- El camino serpenteante y ondulado nos llevó hasta el lago.The winding and wavy road led us to the lake.
- La modelo tiene una melena rizada y ondulada.The model has a curly and wavy mane.
- Ese patrón de diseño es muy rizado y a la vez ondulado.That design pattern is very curly and wavy at the same time.
- ¡Me encanta tu pelo chino y ondulado!I love your wavy and curly hair!
- La actriz luce un peinado con rulos y ondas muy naturales.The actress is sporting a hairstyle with very natural curls and waves.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are discussing a new hairstyle.
- Elena¿Te gusta mi nuevo corte de pelo?Do you like my new haircut?
- JavierSí, me encanta que sea ondulado.Yes, I love that it is wavy.
- ElenaGracias, Javier. Fue difícil de lograr.Thanks, Javier. It was hard to achieve.
- JavierTe queda muy bien el estilo ondulado.The wavy style looks very good on you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ondulado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
