halterofilia
/alteɾofilja/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for weightlifting is halterofilia.
Meaning: form of exercise (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word halterofilia is a compound derived from the Greek haltēr, meaning barbell or weight and philia, meaning affinity or love.
Which one should you use?
Halterofilia refers specifically to the Olympic sport of weightlifting. In contrast, levantamiento de pesas is a more general term used for the activity of lifting weights in any context.
How do you pronounce it?
/alteɾofilja/
Did you know?
- The Greek root haltēr found in halterofilia also gives English the word 'halter', though the English word shifted from meaning a weight to meaning a strap or rope for an animal.
- In a gym setting, a Spanish speaker might use the verb tirar meaning 'to pull' to describe the action of lifting a weight, rather than using a verb for 'lifting'.
- In some Spanish speaking countries, people distinguish between halterofilia for the Olympic lifts and powerlifting using the English term, as there is no traditional Spanish word that captures that specific discipline.
Examples in context
- La halterofilia es un deporte muy exigente.Weightlifting is a very demanding sport.
- Me estoy especializando en levantamiento de pesas.I'm specializing in weightlifting.
- ¿Vamos a levantar pesas hoy en el gimnasio?Are we going to lift weights at the gym today?
- Me encanta hacer pesas para mantenerme en forma.I love doing weights to stay fit.
- ¿Cuánto tiempo dedicas al hacer levantamiento de pesas?How much time do you spend weightlifting?
- La halterofilia requiere mucha fuerza.Weightlifting requires a lot of strength.
- Él practica la halterofilia en el gimnasio.He practices weightlifting at the gym.
- Me gusta la halterofilia por la disciplina.I like weightlifting because of the discipline.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their sports preferences at a sports club.
- Mateo¿Te interesa la halterofilia, Lucía?Are you interested in weightlifting, Lucía?
- LucíaNo, prefiero nadar en la piscina.No, I prefer swimming in the pool.
- MateoEntiendo, yo prefiero la halterofilia.I understand, I prefer weightlifting.
- LucíaEs un deporte muy difícil, Mateo.It is a very difficult sport, Mateo.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry halterofilia, 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.
