ondas
/ON-dahs/
waves
Ondas (waves) are physical movements in water or energy.
ondas(noun)
waves
?physical movements in water, air, or energy
ripples
?small water movements
,radio waves
?as in 'ondas de radio'
📝 In Action
Las ondas del mar rompían contra las rocas.
A2The ocean waves crashed against the rocks.
La radio capta las ondas electromagnéticas.
B2The radio catches the electromagnetic waves.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural, Always Feminine
Since 'ondas' is the plural of 'onda,' it is always used with feminine articles and adjectives, like 'las ondas' (the waves) or 'ondas largas' (long waves).
You can style your hair in beautiful ondas (waves).
📝 In Action
Me gusta cómo te quedan esas ondas naturales en el cabello.
B1I like how those natural waves look in your hair.
La peluquera me hizo unas ondas perfectas para la boda.
B1The hairdresser gave me perfect waves for the wedding.
⭐ Usage Tips
Hair vs. Sea
Although the word is the same, in context, it's usually clear. If you are talking about 'pelo' (hair), 'ondas' refers to the style. If you are talking about 'mar' (sea), it refers to the water movement.
When the atmosphere feels good, you can say there are good ondas (vibes).
ondas(noun)
vibes
?atmosphere or feeling (Latin America slang)
mood
?general emotional atmosphere
📝 In Action
¡Qué buenas ondas tienes hoy!
B2What great vibes you have today!
Ese bar tiene malas ondas; mejor vamos a otro.
B2That bar has bad vibes; we should go to another one.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ondas' in Spain
Mistake: "Using 'ondas' to mean 'vibes' in Spain."
Correction: This usage is specific to Latin America. In Spain, you might hear 'rollo' or 'ambiente' instead.
⭐ Usage Tips
Adjective Use
You can use 'buena onda' or 'mala onda' as an adjective phrase that doesn't change based on gender or number: 'Él es muy buena onda' (He is very cool/friendly).
When you cause the water to move, tú ondas (you ripple).
ondas(verb)
you ripple
?present tense, familiar 'tú' form of 'ondar'
you undulate
?present tense, familiar 'tú' form of 'ondar'
📝 In Action
Si tiras una piedra, tú ondas la superficie del agua.
C1If you throw a stone, you ripple the surface of the water.
💡 Grammar Points
Verb vs. Noun
The verb form 'ondas' (you ripple) is usually recognizable because it follows the pronoun 'tú' or is used in a sentence structure where an action is clearly happening, unlike the noun 'las ondas'.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
imperfect
present
preterite
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ondas
Question 1 of 2
Which meaning of 'ondas' is used in the phrase: 'La gente en la fiesta tenía muy buenas ondas.'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'ondas' and 'olas'?
'Ondas' is the general, technical term for any wave (sound, light, water, hair). 'Olas' specifically refers to large, powerful waves of water, like those used for surfing or found in a storm.
Is 'buena onda' used everywhere in the Spanish-speaking world?
No. While understood, the phrase 'buena onda' (good vibe/cool person) is extremely common and natural in Latin America, especially Mexico and Central America, but less common in Spain, where they might use different slang.