tirolesa
/tiɾoˈlesa/
The Spanish word for zip line is tirolesa.
A zip line is a cable stretched between two points that a person slides along using a pulley. Tirolesa is the most commonly used term to refer to a zip line across most Spanish-speaking countries.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and much of Central America, tirolesa is the most common way to refer to a zip line. However, in Costa Rica, the term canopy is the preferred local term.
How does it change in a sentence?
Tirolesa is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/tiɾoˈlesa/
Did you know?
- The word tirolesa is derived from Tirole, a region in the Alps of Austria and Italy. This is where the modern use of steel cables for transporting people and goods across mountain valleys was popularized.
- In Costa Rica, the word canopy refers to the entire eco-tourism experience, not just the act of sliding down a cable.
- In some South American countries, you may hear the term cablezip or tirolina. The latter is more common in Spain, showing a regional divide in how this leisure activity is named.
Examples in context
- Me encanta lanzarme por la tirolesa.I love sliding down the zip line.
- La tirolesa es muy emocionante.The zip line is very exciting.
- ¿Dónde podemos montar en la tirolesa?Where can we go on the zip line?
- Tengo miedo de la tirolesa.I am afraid of the zip line.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are at an adventure park.
- DanielSofía, ¿quieres probar la tirolesa?Sofía, do you want to try the zip line?
- SofíaSí, me encanta la adrenalina.Yes, I love the adrenaline.
- Daniel¡Perfecto! Yo también quiero ir.Perfect! I want to go too.
- SofíaVamos a la fila ahora.Let's go to the line now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tirolesa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
