olas
/OH-lahs/
waves
Olas refers to the moving water in the sea, like these rolling waves.
olas(Noun)
waves
?moving water in the sea
surf
?the waves breaking on the shore (often used in plural form)
📝 In Action
Las olas del mar estaban muy grandes hoy.
A1The ocean waves were very big today.
Me gusta escuchar el sonido de las olas en la playa.
A1I like listening to the sound of the waves on the beach.
Los surfistas esperan las mejores olas.
A2The surfers wait for the best waves.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine Plural
Since the singular word 'ola' ends in -a, it is a feminine noun. Therefore, when plural, it uses the feminine article 'las' (las olas).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gender Confusion
Mistake: "El olas."
Correction: Las olas. Remember that most words ending in -a are feminine, requiring the article 'las' in the plural.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing the Sea
Use adjectives like 'grandes' (big), 'pequeñas' (small), 'suaves' (gentle), or 'fuertes' (strong) to describe the quality of the waves.
Olas can also describe a surge or rush, such as a wave of people moving together.
olas(Noun)
wave
?surge or rush (of heat, emotion, people)
trend
?a popular movement
,spell
?a period of weather (e.g., heat spell)
📝 In Action
Hay una ola de calor en el sur del país.
B1There is a heat wave in the south of the country.
El país experimentó una ola de protestas.
B2The country experienced a wave of protests.
Se sintió una ola de tristeza al escuchar la noticia.
B1A wave of sadness was felt upon hearing the news.
💡 Grammar Points
Metaphorical Use
When 'olas' is used figuratively (for things that aren't water), it describes a sudden, powerful, and often temporary burst of something, like heat, emotion, or activity.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using the Singular
In figurative uses, the singular form 'ola' is very common, especially for weather and social trends ('una ola de calor').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: olas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'olas' in its figurative (non-water) sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'ola' related to the greeting 'hola'?
No, they are completely different words! 'Hola' (hello) comes from an old interjection, while 'ola' (wave) comes from a Latin word for water movement. They just happen to sound the same.
How do I describe very calm water using 'olas'?
You can say 'No hay olas' (There are no waves) or 'Las olas son muy suaves' (The waves are very gentle). If the water is completely still, you might use 'calma' (calm).