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ciclo

SEE-kloh/ˈθiklo/ (Spain), /ˈsiklo/ (Latin America)

cycle

Also: period
NounmA2
A simple illustration showing three distinct stages—a green sprout, a blooming flower, and a brown seed—connected by a circular arrow, symbolizing continuous repetition.

📝 In Action

El ciclo del agua es vital para la vida.

A2

The water cycle is vital for life.

Estamos al final de un ciclo económico.

B1

We are at the end of an economic cycle.

La luna completa su ciclo en menos de un mes.

B1

The moon completes its cycle in less than a month.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • ciclo de vida – life cycle
  • cerrar un ciclo – to close a chapter / end a cycle

school year

Also: course, stage
NounmB1
Spain
A stylized image showing a young student with a large backpack on the left, connected by an arching line to an image of the same student, taller and holding a scroll on the right, symbolizing academic duration.

📝 In Action

¿En qué ciclo de la universidad estás?

B1

Which stage/year of university are you in?

El ciclo de educación primaria dura seis años.

B2

The primary education cycle lasts six years.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • ciclo escolar – school year
  • ciclo formativo – training course/program

series

Also: run
NounmB2formal
Three distinct but related objects—a vintage movie camera, a microphone, and a closed book—arranged in a neat horizontal row, symbolizing a sequence or collection of events.

📝 In Action

Asistimos al ciclo de conferencias sobre historia antigua.

B2

We attended the series of lectures on ancient history.

El cineclub presentará un ciclo de películas de Almodóvar.

C1

The film club will present a series/run of Almodóvar films.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • ciclo de cine – film series
  • ciclo de conciertos – concert series

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "ciclo" in Spanish:

course→cycle→period→school year→series→stage→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: ciclo

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'ciclo' to refer to a natural, physical recurrence?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
cíclico(cyclic / recurring) — Adjective
bicicleta(bicycle) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
títuloartículo
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word 'cyclus,' which itself originated from the ancient Greek word 'kyklos,' meaning 'circle' or 'wheel.' This history explains why 'ciclo' always refers to something that repeats or goes around, whether it's water, time, or a series of events.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: cycleItalian: ciclo

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Frequently Asked Questions

¿Es 'ciclo' siempre masculino?

Sí, 'ciclo' es un sustantivo masculino. Siempre debes decir 'el ciclo' o 'un ciclo'. Even though it ends in '-o', it is not a common mistake for learners, but it is important to confirm its gender.

¿Puedo usar 'ciclo' para hablar del ciclo menstrual?

Sí, es uno de los usos más comunes en contextos de salud. Se dice 'el ciclo menstrual' o simplemente 'el ciclo'.