Spanish word

aleta

Pronunciation

IPA/aˈleta/

Meaning

  • feminine nounfin

Example

¿Puedes ver la aleta del tiburón?

Can you see the shark's fin?

Illustration for aleta (fin)

More examples

Las aletas de natación mejoran la propulsión.

Swimming fins improve propulsion.

Core concept

Flat foot fin used for swimming or diving.

Common phrases

  • aletas de natación

    swimming fins

  • aleta de tiburón

    shark fin

Similar words

aleta de buceo: Flat blade that attaches to the feet to increase propulsion while snorkeling or scuba diving.

Definition in Spanish

Objeto plano que se coloca en los pies para nadar o bucear, llamado normalmente aletas en plural.

Word origin

Derives from Latin ala 'wing' plus the diminutive -eta, producing 'small wing' and extended in Spanish to name both fish fins and the flat devices worn on the feet.

Usage tips

  • In gear lists and everyday speech Spanish speakers often use las aletas to mean a pair of fins, so expect plural forms on labels and in instructions.

Other meanings

  • flippernoun

Related words

  • aleteofin-flappingnoun
  • aletearflap one's finsverb

Word lists with this word