escalada
“escalada” means “climbing” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
climbing
Also: ascent
📝 In Action
Practicamos escalada todos los fines de semana.
A2We practice rock climbing every weekend.
Necesitas un casco para hacer escalada en roca.
A2You need a helmet to go rock climbing.
La escalada al Everest es muy peligrosa.
B1The climb up Everest is very dangerous.
escalation
Also: surge
📝 In Action
La escalada de precios preocupa a las familias.
B2The surge in prices worries families.
Hay una escalada de violencia en la región.
C1There is an escalation of violence in the region.
Debemos evitar una escalada del conflicto militar.
C1We must avoid an escalation of the military conflict.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: escalada
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is the most likely meaning of 'escalada' in a sports store?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Derived from the verb 'escalar', which comes from the Latin word 'scala' meaning 'ladder' or 'stairs'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'escalada' used for climbing stairs?
No. For stairs, you use 'subida' (the act of going up) or 'escalones' (the steps themselves). 'Escalada' is reserved for mountains, walls, or abstract increases like prices.
Can 'escalada' be used as a verb?
No, it is a noun. The verb is 'escalar'. However, 'escalada' can also be the feminine form of the past participle (e.g., 'La montaña fue escalada'), but it's most common as a noun.
Is there a difference between 'alpinismo' and 'escalada'?
Yes. 'Alpinismo' (mountaineering) usually involves high-altitude travel including hiking and snow, while 'escalada' focuses specifically on the vertical movement on rock or walls.