despegue
/des-PAY-gay/
takeoff
The word 'despegue' refers to the takeoff of an airplane as it leaves the ground.
📝 In Action
El avión está listo para el despegue.
A1The plane is ready for takeoff.
Hubo un retraso en el despegue debido a la lluvia.
A2There was a delay in the takeoff due to the rain.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Clue
Nouns ending in '-e' like 'despegue' are often masculine, so we say 'el despegue'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Spelling Alert
Mistake: "despege"
Correction: despegue
In a metaphorical sense, 'despegue' can represent the launch or start of a new project.
despegue(noun)
launch
?the start of a project or career
surge
?economic growth
,breakthrough
?sudden success
📝 In Action
El despegue económico del país fue impresionante.
B2The country's economic surge was impressive.
Esta canción supuso el despegue de su carrera musical.
B2This song marked the launch of her musical career.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Language
Just like a plane, projects that 'take off' are moving from a standstill to high speed and success.
The verb form of 'despegue' can express the wish or possibility of something taking flight.
despegue(verb)
may take off
?wishing or doubting if something leaves the ground
may unstick
?removing something glued
📝 In Action
Espero que el avión despegue pronto.
B1I hope the plane takes off soon.
No quiero que se despegue la etiqueta.
B1I don't want the label to come off (unstick).
💡 Grammar Points
The 'GU' Change
To keep the 'g' sounding like 'goose' instead of 'giraffe,' we change 'g' to 'gu' whenever the next letter is an 'e'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Wishes and Hopes
Use 'despegue' after phrases like 'Espero que...' (I hope that...) to talk about a flight you're waiting for.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: despegue
Question 1 of 2
Which of these is the antonym (opposite) of 'el despegue'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'despegue' only apply to planes?
While most common in aviation, it's also used for rockets, helicopters, and figuratively for businesses or careers that are suddenly becoming successful.
Why is there a 'u' in 'despegue' but not in 'despegar'?
In Spanish, a 'g' followed by an 'e' or 'i' sounds like an 'h' (like in 'Geronimo'). To keep the hard 'g' sound from the original verb 'despegar,' we must add a silent 'u' helper.