salto
/sahl-toh/
jump
Salto can mean "jump," like the movement of this frog.
📝 In Action
Dio un salto de alegría al ver el regalo.
A2She gave a jump of joy when she saw the gift.
El atleta hizo un salto impresionante sobre la valla.
B1The athlete made an impressive leap over the hurdle.
💡 Grammar Points
Making the action
To say someone performed the action, you use the verb 'dar' (to give): 'dar un salto' (to give a jump), instead of 'hacer un salto' (to make a jump).
⭐ Usage Tips
Jump Rope
If you are talking about the activity 'jumping rope,' the Spanish phrase is 'saltar a la cuerda' or 'saltar la comba.'
Another meaning of salto is "waterfall," a beautiful natural feature.
📝 In Action
Fuimos de excursión para ver el impresionante salto de agua.
B1We went hiking to see the impressive waterfall.
El Salto Ángel es la cascada más alta del mundo.
B2Angel Falls is the highest waterfall in the world.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the modifier
When talking about a waterfall, Spanish often uses the full phrase 'salto de agua' (literally, 'jump of water') to make the meaning clear, although 'salto' alone can sometimes be understood in context.
Salto can also refer to a "robbery" or "holdup."
📝 In Action
Hubo un salto a mano armada en el banco de la esquina.
B2There was an armed robbery at the corner bank.
El ladrón cometió el salto y luego huyó rápidamente.
C1The thief committed the holdup and then fled quickly.
💡 Grammar Points
Formal Context
This meaning is often heard in news reports, police statements, or formal descriptions of a crime, though 'robo' and 'atraco' are also very common synonyms.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: salto
Question 1 of 2
Which meaning of 'salto' is used in the sentence: 'El excursionista se detuvo ante el gran salto de agua.'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'salto' (noun) and 'saltar' (verb)?
'Saltar' is the verb 'to jump' (e.g., 'Yo salto' means 'I jump'). 'Salto' is the noun, meaning 'the jump' (e.g., 'El salto fue alto' means 'The jump was high').
Is 'salto' always masculine?
Yes, 'salto' is always a masculine noun, so you must use 'el salto' or 'un salto.'