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cinta

SEEN-tah/ˈsin̪.t̪a/

ribbon

Also: band
NounfA1
A bright red fabric ribbon tied neatly into a simple decorative bow.

📝 In Action

Ató el regalo con una cinta roja y brillante.

A1

She tied the present with a bright red ribbon.

Ella se puso una cinta en el pelo.

A1

She put a ribbon in her hair.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • cinta de pelo – hair ribbon/headband
  • cinta de seda – silk ribbon

tape

Also: adhesive tape, measuring tape
NounfA2
A roll of transparent adhesive tape with the end slightly peeled off.

📝 In Action

Pega el póster a la pared con un poco de cinta adhesiva.

A2

Stick the poster to the wall with a bit of adhesive tape.

Necesitas una cinta métrica para saber cuánto mide la mesa.

B1

You need a measuring tape to know how long the table is.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • celo (Scotch tape (Spain))
  • teip (tape (from English, informal))

Common Collocations

  • cinta adhesiva – adhesive tape
  • cinta aislante – electrical tape
  • cinta métrica – measuring tape

tape

Also: film, cassette tape
NounfB1
A vintage black audio cassette tape showing the exposed brown magnetic tape wound on the spools inside.

📝 In Action

Encontré una caja de viejas cintas de vídeo en el sótano.

B1

I found a box of old video tapes in the basement.

La película ganó el premio a la mejor cinta extranjera.

B2

The movie won the award for best foreign film.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • película (movie/film)
  • casete (cassette)

Common Collocations

  • cinta de vídeo – video tape (VHS)
  • cinta cinematográfica – cinematographic film

treadmill

Also: conveyor belt
NounfB2
A simple illustration of a gray exercise treadmill with a moving black belt.

📝 In Action

Correr en la cinta es más fácil para mis rodillas que correr en la calle.

B2

Running on the treadmill is easier on my knees than running on the street.

El equipaje va sobre una cinta transportadora.

B2

The luggage goes onto a conveyor belt.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • faja (belt (industrial))

Common Collocations

  • cinta de correr – treadmill (literally 'running tape')
  • cinta transportadora – conveyor belt

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: cinta

Question 1 of 2

Which meaning of 'cinta' is most likely used when you are at the gym?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
cinturón(belt (for clothing)) — Noun
cintura(waist) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Vulgar Latin *cincta*, meaning 'girdled' or 'belted.' This is directly related to the concept of something wrapping around or forming a long, thin strip. It shares its root with 'cintura' (waist).

First recorded: Medieval Spanish

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: cintaItalian: cinta

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'cinta' the only word for 'movie'?

No, the most common and standard word for a movie is 'película'. 'Cinta' is a more formal synonym, often used in cinema reviews or film festival contexts.

How do I know if 'cinta' means 'ribbon' or 'tape'?

The context usually makes it clear! If you are wrapping a gift or decorating hair, it's a ribbon. If you are fixing something or measuring, it's a type of tape (like 'cinta métrica' or 'cinta adhesiva').