Inklingo

colina

co-LEE-nahkoˈlina

colina means hill in Spanish (natural rise in the land).

hill

Also: knoll, rise
NounfA2
Andean Regions (e.g., Peru, Ecuador)
A storybook illustration of a smooth, green, grassy hill rising gently from a flat plain under a bright blue sky.

📝 In Action

Nuestra casa está construida en la cima de una pequeña colina.

A2

Our house is built on the top of a small hill.

Los niños subieron la colina corriendo para ver el atardecer.

A1

The children ran up the hill to watch the sunset.

El terreno montañoso se suaviza en una serie de colinas ondulantes cerca del río.

B1

The mountainous terrain softens into a series of rolling hills near the river.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • loma (small hill)
  • cerro (large hill, isolated peak)
  • montículo (mound, small hill)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • subir una colinato climb a hill
  • colina verdegreen hill
  • la cima de la colinathe top of the hill

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "colina" in Spanish:

hillknollrise

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: colina

Question 1 of 2

Which English word best translates 'colina'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
neblinavitamina
📚 Etymology

This word comes from the Latin term *collis*, which simply meant 'hill.' The diminutive form in Latin (*collina*) gave us the Spanish word, emphasizing the idea of a 'little hill' or a gentle rise.

First recorded: Medieval Latin period

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: collinaPortuguese: colina

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Frequently Asked Questions

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'colina' y 'montaña'?

The key difference is size and steepness. A 'colina' (hill) is smaller, rounder, and easier to climb. A 'montaña' (mountain) is much larger, taller, and usually has rugged peaks.

Does 'colina' have any figurative meanings?

While its primary meaning is geographical, 'colina' can sometimes be used figuratively to refer to a minor challenge or obstacle, but this usage is less common than in English ('uphill battle').