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cuerdas

KWEHR-dahsˈkweɾðas

“cuerdas” means “ropes” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

ropes, cords

Also: lines, cables
NounfA1
A thick, heavy, brown braided rope is neatly coiled on a neutral surface.

📝 In Action

Atamos la carga con unas cuerdas muy fuertes.

A1

We tied the load with some very strong ropes.

Las cuerdas de tender la ropa estaban rotas.

A2

The clotheslines were broken.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • tirar de las cuerdas – to pull the ropes
  • soltar las cuerdas – to release the ropes

strings

Also: gut, vocal cords
NounfA2
A close-up view showing the thin, taut strings stretched across the neck and fretboard of a wooden acoustic guitar.

📝 In Action

Las cuerdas de la guitarra están desafinadas.

A2

The guitar strings are out of tune.

El violín tiene cuatro cuerdas.

A2

The violin has four strings.

El cantante forzó demasiado sus cuerdas vocales.

B1

The singer strained his vocal cords too much.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cordaje (stringing (of a racquet))

Common Collocations

  • cambiar las cuerdas – to change the strings
  • instrumentos de cuerda – string instruments

Idioms & Expressions

  • estar en las cuerdas – to be in a very difficult or vulnerable position (like a boxer against the ropes)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "cuerdas" in Spanish:

cables→cords→gut→lines→ropes→strings→vocal cords→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: cuerdas

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'cuerdas' to refer to a musical context?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
cuerda(rope, string (singular)) — Noun
encordar(to string (a racquet or instrument)) — Verb
cordel(thin cord, twine) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Latin *chorda*, which meant 'string' or 'gut' (referring to the material used for instrument strings). This explains why *cuerdas* is used for both thick ropes and thin musical strings today.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: cordaFrench: corde

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'cuerdas' have a relationship with the verb 'recordar' (to remember)?

Yes, they look and sound similar! While *cuerdas* is a noun, the verb form 'tú recuerdas' (you remember) comes from the same root idea of gathering or bringing things back together. However, they are used completely differently in a sentence.

How do I say 'vocal cords' in Spanish?

You use the plural noun: *cuerdas vocales*.