tambalearse
/tambaleaɾse/from spelling rules
The English verb "wobble" translates to Spanish as tambalearse.
The term is used to describe moving with an uneven or rocking motion.
Meaning: move with an uneven or rocking motion (verb)
Which one should you use?
The formal term balancearse can also be used to convey the specific idea of swaying or rocking.
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive form tambalearse ends in -se, which indicates that it is a reflexive verb.
How do you pronounce it?
/tambaleaɾse/
Did you know?
- In some regions, if an object is wobbling due to being unstable or loose, you might hear people say it está bailando, meaning 'it is dancing'.
- Although tambalearse and balancearse both describe rocking, balancearse is used for intentional, soothing motions like a cradle or a hammock, whereas tambalearse implies a lack of control.
- While tambalearse describes a physical wobble, the word tambalear can also be used metaphorically to describe a person's confidence or a government's stability during a crisis.
Examples in context
- El borracho tambaleaba por la calleThe drunk was wobbling along the street
- El niño bamboleaba la cunaThe child was rocking the cradle
- La silla se tambalea.The chair wobbles.
- La mesa empezó a tambalearse.The table started to wobble.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are fixing a piece of furniture.
- SofíaMira, la silla se sigue tambalearse.Look, the chair keeps wobbling.
- DanielEs porque le falta un tornillo.It is because it is missing a screw.
- SofíaAyúdame a que no se vuelva a tambalearse.Help me so that it doesn't wobble again.
- DanielDame el destornillador y yo lo arreglo.Give me the screwdriver and I will fix it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tambalearse, 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.
