Spanish Conversation · Level 74
60 words
Spanish word
perpendicular
Pronunciation
IPA/peɾpendikuˈlaɾ/
Meaning
- adjectiveperpendicular
Example
¿El cuadro está perpendicular a la pared?
Is the painting perpendicular to the wall?
More examples
El poste está perpendicular al suelo.
The post is perpendicular to the ground.
Core concept
A right-angle corner where two lines meet at 90°.
Common phrases
línea perpendicular a
line perpendicular to
ángulo perpendicular
perpendicular angle
perpendicular al suelo
perpendicular to the ground
Similar words
vertical: Extends straight upward from the ground or a reference surface.
horizontal: Extends parallel to the ground or a reference surface, staying level.
paralelo: Runs in the same direction as another line or surface, keeping a constant distance.
Definition in Spanish
Que tiene orientación perpendicular respecto a otra cosa, formando un ángulo de noventa grados.
Word origin
The adjective comes from Latin perpendiculāris, built from per- 'completely' and pendere 'to hang', originally referring to a plumb line used to mark a right angle.
Usage tips
- In everyday speech perpendicular sounds formal, so speakers often prefer ¿Está recto? or ¿Está vertical? when asking if something is upright.
Opposites
- horizontalhorizontaladjective