curva
/KOOR-vah/
curve
A simple, bending line illustrating a physical curve or shape.
curva(noun)
curve
?A bending line or shape
,bend
?A turn in a road or river
turn
?A sharp change in direction
📝 In Action
Tuvimos que reducir la velocidad por la curva peligrosa.
A2We had to slow down because of the dangerous curve.
Dibuja una curva suave que conecte los dos puntos.
B1Draw a smooth curve connecting the two points.
El río tiene muchas curvas antes de llegar al mar.
A1The river has many bends before reaching the sea.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Check
Remember that 'curva' is a feminine noun, so you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (la curva, una curva peligrosa).
⭐ Usage Tips
Road Signs
In maps and directions, 'curva' is the standard word for a bend in the road, especially one that requires slowing down.
A stylized, upward sweeping line representing a data trend or growth curve.
curva(noun)
curve
?Graphical representation of data
,figure / shape
?Referring to a person's body shape
curveball
?Figurative difficulty or surprise (often used with 'lanzar')
📝 In Action
La curva de aprendizaje del nuevo software es muy empinada.
B2The learning curve for the new software is very steep.
El economista analizó la curva de oferta y demanda.
C1The economist analyzed the supply and demand curve.
Ella tiene una figura con muchas curvas.
B1She has a curvy figure.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
When talking about body shape or data representation, 'curva' is still a noun and follows the same rules as the physical meaning.
⭐ Usage Tips
The Curveball
The expression 'lanzar una curva' is a direct translation of the English 'to throw a curveball' (to introduce an unexpected problem) and is widely understood in Spanish.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: curva
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'curva' in its figurative sense (not a physical bend)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'curva' always feminine?
Yes, 'curva' is a feminine noun. You will always use 'la' or 'una' before it, and any adjectives describing it must also be feminine (e.g., 'la curva peligrosa').
How do I say 'to curve' in Spanish?
The verb form is 'curvar,' which means 'to bend' or 'to curve.' For example, 'El camino se curva hacia el río' (The road curves toward the river).