aires

/AY-rehs/

air

Gentle, swirling currents of blue and white air moving across an open field.

Aires can refer to the atmosphere or the air we breathe.

aires(noun)

mA1

air

atmosphere; plural of 'aire'

Also:

outdoor air

referring to fresh air or the open environment

atmosphere

surrounding feeling or condition

📝 In Action

Me encanta salir a pasear y tomar los aires del campo.

I love going out for a walk and taking in the country air.

El salón necesita que le abran las ventanas para renovar los aires.

The living room needs the windows opened to refresh the air.

Word Connections

Synonyms

atmósfera (atmosphere)
viento (wind)

Common Collocations

al aire libre – outdoors; in the open air
tomar aires – to take the air/to get some fresh air

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Plural

Even though 'aire' ends in -e, it is a masculine noun. Its plural form 'aires' is also masculine.

⭐ Usage Tips

Use with 'Tomar'

The phrase 'tomar los aires' is a very natural way to say 'to get some fresh air' or 'to go outside for a bit'.

A cartoonish illustration of a person standing with an exaggeratedly upright and proud posture, chin lifted, representing a haughty manner.

When used in the plural, aires can describe someone's manner or demeanor, especially if they are putting on 'airs'.

aires(noun)

mB2

airs

manner; demeanor; appearance

Also:

look

the way someone looks or behaves

attitude

a specific bearing or posture

📝 In Action

Esa chica se da aires de superioridad, aunque no lo sea.

That girl puts on airs of superiority, even if she isn't superior.

Tiene unos aires muy elegantes, parece de la realeza.

She has a very elegant look; she seems like royalty.

Word Connections

Synonyms

maneras (manners)
porte (bearing)

Common Collocations

darse aires de – to put on airs of; to act like
dar aires a alguien – to make someone look/seem like something

Idioms & Expressions

darse aires – To act superior or pretentious; to put on airs.

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Plural

In this meaning, 'aires' is almost always used in the plural, even when referring to one person's manner.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using Singular for Attitude

Mistake: "Tiene un aire de superioridad."

Correction: Use the plural: 'Tiene unos aires de superioridad.' This is the standard idiomatic usage.

⭐ Usage Tips

Focus on the Verb

The meaning often depends on the verb used. 'Tener aires' means to possess a look, while 'darse aires' means to actively pretend or behave pretentiously.

Colorful musical notes floating out of the end of a simple wooden flute.

Aires can also refer to a musical tune or melody.

aires(noun)

mB1

tune

melody; musical style

Also:

rhythm

specific musical beat or style

📝 In Action

Me encanta la música andaluza, especialmente los aires de flamenco.

I love Andalusian music, especially the flamenco tunes/rhythms.

El compositor le dio a la pieza unos aires muy melancólicos.

The composer gave the piece a very melancholic tune/feel.

Word Connections

Synonyms

melodía (melody)
ritmo (rhythm)

Common Collocations

aires de jazz – jazz tunes/rhythms
aires populares – folk tunes

💡 Grammar Points

Cultural Context

This usage is common when discussing traditional music, especially in Spain and Latin America, where 'aires' describes the characteristic sound of a regional genre.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: aires

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'aires' to mean 'attitude' or 'pretentiousness'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

aire(air, wind) - noun

aéreo(aerial, air-related) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'aires' used in the plural when talking about attitude?

When referring to a person's manner or attitude, 'aires' is idiomatic and always used in the plural (like how we say 'to put on airs' in English). It refers to the collection of behaviors or appearances someone presents.

Can 'aires' also mean air conditioning?

Yes, in many places, 'aires' is a common short way of saying 'aire acondicionado' (air conditioning). For example, 'Prende los aires' means 'Turn on the AC.'