rueda
/RWEH-dah/
wheel
Rueda meaning "wheel," referring to a component of a vehicle or machine.
rueda(noun)
wheel
?vehicle or machine component
tire
?often used for the whole tire/wheel assembly
,gear
?mechanical context, referring to a cogwheel
📝 In Action
Se me pinchó una rueda en la autopista.
A2I got a flat tire on the highway.
Las ruedas de mi bicicleta son nuevas.
A1The wheels on my bicycle are new.
La rueda de repuesto está en el maletero.
A2The spare wheel is in the trunk.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Reminder
Remember that 'rueda' is a feminine noun, so you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la rueda', 'ruedas grandes').
⭐ Usage Tips
Wheel vs. Tire
While 'rueda' means 'wheel,' in everyday speech, it's often used loosely to mean 'tire' (the whole assembly), especially when talking about flats or changing them.
Rueda meaning "circle," referring to a group of people arranged circularly.
rueda(noun)
circle
?a group of people or a physical arrangement
,round
?a turn or cycle, often for drinks or meetings
turn
?in a game or activity
,group
?a small discussion group
📝 In Action
El periodista preguntó en la rueda de prensa.
B1The journalist asked a question at the press conference (circle of press).
Hicimos una rueda para discutir el proyecto.
B1We formed a circle/group to discuss the project.
¡Invito yo la próxima rueda de cervezas!
B2I'll buy the next round of beers!
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Use
Think of this meaning as 'something shaped like a wheel' or 'something that goes around in a cycle,' like a round of drinks or a discussion circle.
Rueda meaning "he/she/it rolls," depicting the action of rolling.
rueda(verb)
he/she/it rolls
?3rd person singular present tense of 'rodar'
,you roll (formal)
?2nd person singular imperative (command) of 'rodar'
it is filmed
?cinema/movie context (impersonal use of 'rodar')
📝 In Action
La piedra rueda colina abajo rápidamente.
A2The stone rolls down the hill quickly.
La película rueda en exteriores toda la semana.
B1The movie is filming outdoors all week.
¡Rueda la cámara, por favor!
B2Roll the camera, please! (Formal command)
💡 Grammar Points
Stem-Changing Verb (o > ue)
'Rodar' is a boot verb. The 'o' in the stem changes to 'ue' in the present tense forms, except for the 'nosotros' (we) and 'vosotros' (you all, informal Spain) forms.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: "Yo rodé (incorrect present tense)"
Correction: Yo ruedo. Remember the 'o' becomes 'ue' when stressed.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
If you hear 'rueda' in a conversation about movies, it usually means 'is being filmed' or 'is in production.'
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: rueda
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'rueda' as a verb?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'rueda' the same as 'llanta'?
Not exactly, but they are often used interchangeably! Technically, 'rueda' is the whole wheel assembly (rim and tire), while 'llanta' refers specifically to the metal rim. However, in many places, people use 'llanta' to mean 'tire' (the whole thing) as well.
How do I know if 'rueda' means the noun or the verb?
Look at the words around it. If it follows an article (like 'la' or 'una'), it's the noun ('the wheel'). If it follows a subject (like 'él' or 'ella') or is part of a command, it's the conjugated verb form ('he/she rolls').