Spanish Conversation · Level 84
60 words
Spanish word
péndulo
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈpendulo/
Meaning
- masculine nounpendulum
Example
El péndulo del reloj se balancea con regularidad.
The clock's pendulum swings regularly.
More examples
En la estación, la puerta se abre y cierra como un péndulo.
At the station, the door opens and closes like a pendulum.
Core concept
Suspended mass used to mark regular time or study oscillations.
Common phrases
el péndulo del reloj
the pendulum of the clock
moverse como un péndulo
move like a pendulum
Similar words
vaivén: Repeated to-and-fro movement between two limits.
balanceo: Slow, rocking swaying movement, usually gentle and unforced.
oscilación: Consistent oscillatory movement that recurs at regular intervals.
Definition in Spanish
Indica un elemento suspendido que oscila por la gravedad y se emplea tanto para medir el tiempo como para estudiar oscilaciones.
Word origin
Derived from Latin pendulus 'hanging' (from pendēre 'to hang'), the term keeps the original idea of a hung mass that oscillates and so serves for timekeeping and experiments.
Usage tips
- When used figuratively, péndulo commonly appears with the verb 'oscilar' or the phrase 'oscilar entre A y B' to indicate a swing between two states.
Opposites
- estabilidadstabilitynoun
Related words
- pendularpendularadjective