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paracaídas

pah-rah-kah-EE-dahspaɾakaˈiðas

“paracaídas” means “parachute” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

parachute

Also: safety net
NounmB1
A large, colorful parachute fully deployed in a bright blue sky.

📝 In Action

El instructor me explicó cómo abrir el paracaídas.

B1

The instructor explained to me how to open the parachute.

Tengo miedo de que el paracaídas no se abra.

B1

I am afraid that the parachute won't open.

Llegó a la fiesta como un paracaídas.

B2

He showed up to the party uninvited (out of nowhere).

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • saltar en paracaídas – to go skydiving / to parachute jump
  • abrir el paracaídas – to open the parachute

Idioms & Expressions

  • caer en paracaídas – To show up somewhere unexpectedly or uninvited.

golden parachute

NounmC1formal
A person in a business suit floating gently down while holding onto a large sack with a currency symbol on it.

📝 In Action

El director recibió un paracaídas de oro tras su renuncia.

C1

The director received a golden parachute after his resignation.

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "paracaídas" in Spanish:

golden parachute→parachute→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: paracaídas

Question 1 of 2

How do you say 'three parachutes' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
paracaidismo(skydiving) — Noun
paracaidista(parachutist / skydiver) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Created by combining the Spanish verb 'parar' (to stop) and the noun 'caídas' (falls).

First recorded: 18th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: parachuteItalian: paracadute

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'paracaídas' masculine or feminine?

It is masculine. You should always say 'el paracaídas' or 'un paracaídas'.

Does the word change when talking about more than one?

No, the spelling remains 'paracaídas' for both singular and plural. You distinguish them by the article: 'el paracaídas' (one) vs 'los paracaídas' (many).