ola
/OH-lah/
wave
An 'ola' is the movement of water in the sea, commonly known as a wave.
📝 In Action
Me encanta ver cómo rompen las olas en la playa.
A1I love watching how the waves break on the beach.
Ten cuidado, hoy hay olas muy grandes.
A1Be careful, there are very big waves today.
El surfista esperó la ola perfecta durante horas.
A2The surfer waited for the perfect wave for hours.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine Noun
Remember that 'ola' is a feminine word, so you must use 'la' or 'una' before it: 'la ola' (the wave), 'unas olas' (some waves).
⭐ Usage Tips
Don't Confuse with 'Hola'
'Ola' (wave, no 'h') is completely different from 'Hola' (hello, with 'h'). You can only tell the difference by the spelling and the context!
An 'ola' can also mean a surge or spell, such as an intense heatwave.
ola(noun)
wave
?a surge or spell (e.g., of heat, cold, crime)
spell
?period of intense weather
,tide
?a rising tide of emotion or opinion
📝 In Action
Estamos sufriendo una fuerte ola de calor.
B1We are suffering a strong heat wave.
Hubo una ola de protestas en el centro de la ciudad.
B2There was a wave of protests in the city center.
El país experimentó una ola de optimismo tras las elecciones.
C1The country experienced a surge of optimism after the elections.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
In this context, 'ola' describes a large, powerful, and often sudden increase or movement, just like a water wave, but applied to non-physical things.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'de'
Always specify what kind of wave it is using the preposition 'de' (of): 'ola de calor', 'ola de violencia', etc.
In geology, an 'ola' refers to a seismic wave that causes the ground to shift during an earthquake.
📝 In Action
Los sismólogos miden las olas sísmicas que viajan por la Tierra.
B2Seismologists measure the seismic waves that travel through the Earth.
💡 Grammar Points
Technical Usage
While 'ola' is used for large, physical waves (like seismic or tidal), the word 'onda' is far more common for abstract or technical waves like sound waves ('ondas sonoras') or radio waves ('ondas de radio').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ola
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses the figurative meaning of 'ola'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I should use 'ola' or 'onda'?
Use 'ola' primarily for large water waves (in the sea) or for metaphorical surges ('heat wave'). Use 'onda' for smaller ripples, and most technical waves like sound, radio, or light waves.
Is 'ola' masculine or feminine?
'Ola' is a feminine noun, so you always use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la ola,' 'una ola fría').