ala
/ah-lah/
wing
The most common translation of ala is 'wing,' referring to the part of a bird, insect, or aircraft used for flying.
ala(noun)
wing
?part of a bird, insect, or aircraft used for flying
airfoil
?technical term in aviation
📝 In Action
El águila extendió sus alas antes de volar.
A1The eagle spread its wings before flying.
Necesitamos revisar el ala derecha del avión.
A2We need to check the right wing of the plane.
💡 Grammar Points
A Feminine Noun That Uses 'El'
Even though 'ala' is a feminine noun, we use the masculine article 'el' in the singular (el ala) because the word starts with a stressed 'a' sound. This is done to make pronunciation smoother. In the plural, it returns to the feminine article: las alas.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'La' in the Singular
Mistake: "La ala está rota."
Correction: El ala está rota. (Remember, use 'el' for singular feminine nouns starting with a stressed 'a'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Adjectives Remain Feminine
When describing 'ala,' the adjective must still be feminine: 'el ala derecha' (the right wing, not 'derecho').
In a military or political context, ala can mean the flank or side.
ala(noun)
flank
?military or political side
,wing
?sports position, especially in soccer or hockey
side
?general side or edge
📝 In Action
El entrenador puso al jugador más rápido en el ala izquierda.
B1The coach put the fastest player on the left wing.
El partido político tiene una ala más conservadora.
B2The political party has a more conservative flank (or wing).
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
When talking about sports, 'ala' often refers to a player position near the side of the field (like a winger). In politics, it means a specific faction or ideological group within a larger party.
Ala can also refer to a section or part of a building, often translated as 'wing'.
ala(noun)
wing
?section or part of a building
section
?part of a larger structure
,ward
?section of a hospital
📝 In Action
Tuvimos que ir a la nueva ala de la biblioteca.
B1We had to go to the new wing of the library.
El hospital inauguró el ala de pediatría el mes pasado.
B2The hospital inaugurated the pediatrics wing last month.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ala
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the article for the singular noun 'ala'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I see 'el ala' if 'ala' is a feminine noun?
This is a special rule in Spanish! When a feminine noun starts with a stressed 'a' sound (like *agua*, *águila*, or *ala*), we use the masculine singular article 'el' instead of 'la' to avoid awkward repetition of the 'a' sound. However, the word itself remains feminine, so any adjectives describing it must also be feminine (e.g., *el ala **derecha**).