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cadena

kah-DEH-nah/kaˈðena/

chain

Also: necklace, shackle
NounfA2
A close-up view of several interlocking metallic chain links lying on a surface.

📝 In Action

Necesito una cadena para atar mi bicicleta en la calle.

A2

I need a chain to lock up my bike in the street.

Ella llevaba una cadena de oro muy elegante.

B1

She was wearing a very elegant gold necklace.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • eslabón (link (of a chain))
  • collar (necklace/collar)

Common Collocations

  • cadena de seguridad – security chain
  • cadena de plata – silver chain

channel

Also: network, chain (of stores/hotels)
NounfB1
A stylized, simple retro television set showing a bright screen emitting simple circular broadcast waves.

📝 In Action

Pusieron las noticias en la cadena nacional a las ocho.

B1

They put the news on the national channel at eight o'clock.

Hay una nueva cadena de supermercados abriendo en mi barrio.

B1

There is a new supermarket chain opening in my neighborhood.

¿Qué cadena de hoteles es la más popular en España?

B2

Which hotel chain is the most popular in Spain?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • red (network)
  • canal (channel (in some contexts))

Common Collocations

  • cadena de televisión – television channel/network
  • cadena hotelera – hotel chain

series

Also: string
NounfB2
A horizontal row of five identical, brightly colored geometric blocks connected sequentially by short lines, demonstrating a continuous series.

📝 In Action

La cadena de eventos que llevó a la crisis fue larga y compleja.

B2

The chain of events that led to the crisis was long and complex.

El error inicial desencadenó una cadena de reacciones inesperadas.

C1

The initial mistake triggered a chain of unexpected reactions.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • sucesión (succession)
  • serie (series)

Common Collocations

  • cadena de suministro – supply chain
  • cadena alimentaria – food chain

Idioms & Expressions

  • estar en cadena – to be continuously linked or broadcast live (often used for events)

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: cadena

Question 1 of 2

Which meaning of 'cadena' is used in the sentence: 'La cadena de montaje en la fábrica es muy eficiente.'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
encadenar(to chain up; to link) — Verb
encadenamiento(chaining; linkage) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes directly from the Latin word *catēna*, which meant 'chain' or 'fetter.' Its meaning has stayed remarkably consistent over centuries, simply expanding from physical links to figurative links (like TV networks or sequences of events).

First recorded: Before the 10th century (Old Spanish)

Cognates (Related words)

French: chaîneItalian: catenaEnglish: chain

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Frequently Asked Questions

¿Es 'cadena' siempre femenino?

Sí, 'cadena' es un sustantivo femenino. Siempre debes usar artículos femeninos con él, como 'la cadena' o 'una cadena'.

How do I say 'chain store'?

The most common way is 'una cadena de tiendas' (a chain of stores) or simply 'una cadena'. For example: 'Es una cadena de ropa muy popular' (It is a very popular clothing chain).