Spanish Conversation · Level 12
90 words
Spanish word
obelisco
Pronunciation
IPA/oβeˈlisko/
Meaning
- masculine nounobelisk
Example
¿Dónde está el obelisco más famoso de la ciudad?
Where is the most famous obelisk in the city?
More examples
Frente al obelisco hay vendedores de recuerdos.
There are souvenir vendors in front of the obelisk.
Core concept
Tall narrow pillar with a pyramidal point serving as a public monument.
Common phrases
visitar el obelisco
visit the obelisk
frente al obelisco
in front of the obelisk
sacar fotos al obelisco
snap photos of the obelisk
Similar words
monumento: Visible public construction created to honor or remember a historical person or event.
columna: Vertical architectural support, typically round, serving to bear weight or to ornament.
estela: Vertical flat stone slab bearing carved text or images to record names or events.
estatua: Carved full- or partial-figure sculpture representing people or animals.
Definition in Spanish
Estructura monumental alta y delgada, con remate piramidal o puntiagudo, colocada como referencia visual en plazas o avenidas.
Word origin
It derives from Greek ὀβελίσκος 'small spit', a diminutive of ὀβελός 'pointed rod', via Latin obelīscus.
Usage tips
- Spanish stress falls on the third syllable (o-be-LIS-co), not on the first as in English 'obelisk', and the plural is obeliscos.