Spanish Conversation · Level 37
74 words
Spanish word
ala
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈala/
Meaning
- feminine nounwing
Example
El pájaro tiene el ala rota.
The bird's wing is broken.
More examples
En la reunión defendió el programa del ala derecha del partido.
At the meeting he defended the program of the party's right wing.
Core concept
Flat lateral appendage that enables flight in birds or insects.
Common phrases
ala derecha
right wing
ala izquierda
left wing
Similar words
pluma: Small soft feather growing on a bird that helps insulate and shape the plumage.
aleta: Thin paddlelike fin on fish or marine animals that moves water to propel or steer.
Definition in Spanish
Órgano plano y lateral que permite el vuelo en aves e insectos; también se aplica a partes laterales de objetos o prendas, como el ala de un sombrero.
Word origin
Comes from Latin ala 'wing' and extends metaphorically to lateral parts like a hat brim or a building annex because of their winglike shape.
Usage tips
- Feminine noun that takes the masculine article el in the singular before a stressed initial a for phonetic reasons while adjectives still agree in the feminine, as in el ala ancha.