estela
“estela” means “wake” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
wake, trail
Also: legacy, track
📝 In Action
El barco dejó una estela blanca en el mar azul.
A2The boat left a white wake in the blue sea.
Mira la estela del avión en el cielo.
A1Look at the plane's trail in the sky.
El gran escritor dejó una estela de sabiduría en sus libros.
B2The great writer left a legacy of wisdom in his books.
stela, stele
📝 In Action
La estela maya narra la historia de la batalla.
B2The Mayan stela tells the story of the battle.
En el museo hay una estela funeraria del antiguo Egipto.
C1In the museum, there is a funerary stele from ancient Egypt.
Los arqueólogos encontraron una estela grabada con jeroglíficos.
B2Archaeologists found a stone slab engraved with hieroglyphs.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: estela
Question 1 of 3
If you are watching a boat move across a lake, what are you seeing behind it?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'stela,' which comes from the Greek 'stēlē,' meaning a standing block or stone used for monuments. The meaning of a 'wake' in water developed later, comparing the path left by a boat to a visible monument or mark.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'estela' related to 'estrella' (star)?
They sound similar, but they come from different roots. 'Estrella' comes from Latin 'stella', while 'estela' comes from Greek/Latin 'stela'. However, both describe something that can leave a bright or visible path!
Can I use 'estela' to describe a person's footprints in the sand?
Not usually. For footprints, 'huella' or 'rastro' is better. 'Estela' is usually for paths that fade, like bubbles in water or vapor in the air.
Is it a common word?
It's moderately common. You'll hear it in news reports about aviation or sailing, and in literature when being poetic about someone's life.