Spanish Conversation · Level 196
15 words
Spanish word
paracaídas
Pronunciation
IPA/paɾakaˈiðas/
Meaning
- masculine nounparachute
Example
El paracaídas se abrió.
The parachute opened.
More examples
Tuvo que usar el paracaídas de emergencia.
He had to use the emergency parachute.
Core concept
A lightweight cloth canopy that opens in the air to slow a falling person or object.
Common phrases
abrir el paracaídas
open the parachute
ponerse el paracaídas
put on the parachute
usar el paracaídas
use the parachute
Similar words
paraguas: Handheld collapsible canopy for protection from rain or sun.
Definition in Spanish
Aparato ligero hecho de tela u otro material que se despliega para frenar la caída y facilitar un aterrizaje seguro.
Word origin
From French parachute (para- 'against' + chute 'fall'), with Spanish creating paracaídas as para + caídas to mean 'against falls'.
Usage tips
- The written accent on the í (paracaídas) breaks the diphthong and marks the stressed syllable, so the accent is required in standard spelling.
Related words
- paracaidistaparachutistnoun
- paracaidismoparachutingnoun