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ola

OH-lahˈo.la

wave

Also: swell
NounfA1
A large blue ocean wave cresting with white foam, moving dynamically towards a sandy shore under a bright sky.

📝 In Action

Me encanta ver cómo rompen las olas en la playa.

A1

I love watching how the waves break on the beach.

Ten cuidado, hoy hay olas muy grandes.

A1

Be careful, there are very big waves today.

El surfista esperó la ola perfecta durante horas.

A2

The surfer waited for the perfect wave for hours.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • onda (wave/ripple (often smaller or technical))
  • marejada (heavy swell)

Common Collocations

  • ola gigante – giant wave
  • romper la ola – to break the wave

wave

Also: spell, tide
NounfB1
A parched, brown landscape baking under an intense, bright yellow sun, with visible shimmering heat lines rising from the ground.

📝 In Action

Estamos sufriendo una fuerte ola de calor.

B1

We are suffering a strong heat wave.

Hubo una ola de protestas en el centro de la ciudad.

B2

There was a wave of protests in the city center.

El país experimentó una ola de optimismo tras las elecciones.

C1

The country experienced a surge of optimism after the elections.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • ola de frío – cold snap/wave
  • ola de crímenes – crime wave

seismic wave

Also: wave
NounfB2formal
A large, jagged crack running through brown earth, with the ground on one side slightly elevated and displaced, illustrating seismic activity.

📝 In Action

Los sismólogos miden las olas sísmicas que viajan por la Tierra.

B2

Seismologists measure the seismic waves that travel through the Earth.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • onda (wave (sound, radio, light))
  • vibración (vibration)

Common Collocations

  • ola sísmica – seismic wave

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "ola" in Spanish:

seismic wave→spell→swell→tide→wave→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: ola

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses the figurative meaning of 'ola'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
oleaje(swell/surf (collective noun for waves)) — Noun
ondular(to undulate/to wave) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word 'ola' comes from the Vulgar Latin word *unda*, meaning 'wave' or 'water.' It is closely related to the Spanish word 'onda' (which means wave or ripple), showing a long history connected to moving water.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: ondaItalian: onda

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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').