aérea
/ah-EH-reh-ah/
aerial
This cloud, floating high above, represents the adjective aérea, meaning 'aerial' or 'relating to the air'.
aérea(Adjective)
aerial
?relating to the air or atmosphere
,air
?used in compound terms like 'air route'
airborne
?carried by air
📝 In Action
La ruta aérea más corta pasa sobre el océano.
A2The shortest air route passes over the ocean.
Necesitamos un estudio de fotografía aérea para este proyecto.
B1We need an aerial photography study for this project.
La fuerza aérea de nuestro país es muy moderna.
A2Our country's air force is very modern.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Agreement
As an adjective, 'aérea' must always match the feminine noun it describes (e.g., 'la ruta aérea'). If the noun were masculine, you would use 'aéreo' (e.g., 'el transporte aéreo').
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Use
This word is often found in formal, technical, or official contexts when discussing aviation, military, or geography.
The noun aérea can be short for 'línea aérea,' meaning 'airline,' illustrated here by a passenger jet in flight.
aérea(Noun)
airline
?short for 'línea aérea'
,aerial
?antenna (especially in technical or older contexts)
antenna
?device for broadcasting/receiving signals
📝 In Action
¿Qué aérea ofrece el vuelo más barato a Londres?
B2Which airline offers the cheapest flight to London?
Tuvimos que ajustar la aérea del televisor para mejorar la recepción.
B1We had to adjust the aerial (antenna) of the television to improve reception.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
When used as a noun, 'la aérea' usually means 'airline' (especially in spoken travel contexts) or 'antenna' (especially in technical contexts). You usually need the surrounding words to know which one it is.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: aérea
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'aérea' as an adjective?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'aérea' and 'aéreo'?
'Aérea' is the feminine form, and 'aéreo' is the masculine form. They both mean 'aerial' or 'air-related.' You choose which one to use based on the gender of the noun they are describing (e.g., 'la ruta aérea' vs. 'el espacio aéreo').
Can 'aérea' ever be a noun?
Yes. While it is primarily an adjective, it is commonly used as a short way to say 'aerolínea' (airline) or, in some places, 'antena' (antenna/aerial).