Spanish Conversation · Level 141
43 words
Spanish word
vertiente
Pronunciation
IPA/beɾˈtjente/
Meaning
- feminine nounslope
Example
La vertiente de la montaña está cubierta de nieve.
The slope of the mountain is covered with snow.
More examples
La vertiente del río recoge aguas de las lluvias.
The river basin collects rainwater.
Core concept
Slope of terrain that directs runoff downhill.
Common phrases
vertiente del río
river basin
vertiente de la montaña
mountain slope
Similar words
pendiente: Section of ground or roadway with a marked upward or downward angle.
cuesta: Relatively long stretch of sloping ground or road.
ladera: Slope forming the flank of a hill or mountain.
falda: Softly sloping area at a mountain's foot.
Definition in Spanish
Parte inclinada de un terreno por donde suele descender el agua; también, la cuenca de drenaje y, en sentido figurado, un lado o aspecto de un asunto.
Word origin
From Latin vertere 'to turn', vertiente originally described the direction water takes and so came to mean a slope, a drainage basin, and figuratively a side or aspect.
Usage tips
- The figurative phrase por otra vertiente is somewhat formal, and everyday speech often uses otro aspecto or desde otro punto de vista.
Other meanings
- sidenoun
- watershednoun
Opposites
- llanuraplainnoun