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telón

te-LON/teˈlon/

“telón” means “curtain” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

curtain

Also: theater curtain
NounmB1
A large, heavy red velvet curtain draped across a wooden theater stage.

📝 In Action

El telón se levantó y empezó la función.

A2

The curtain rose and the show began.

Los actores esperaban nerviosos detrás del telón.

B1

The actors waited nervously behind the curtain.

El telón de este teatro es de terciopelo rojo.

B1

The curtain of this theater is made of red velvet.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • subir el telón – to raise the curtain (start the show)
  • bajar el telón – to lower the curtain (end the show)
  • caída del telón – curtain call / the end of the show

Idioms & Expressions

  • correr el telón – to bring something to a close or hide it

backdrop, background

Also: shroud
NounmB2
A painted backdrop of a peaceful mountain landscape behind a small stage set.

📝 In Action

La crisis económica sirvió como telón de fondo para la revolución.

B2

The economic crisis served as the backdrop for the revolution.

La ciudad de París es el telón de fondo de su nueva novela.

B2

The city of Paris is the setting for her new novel.

Todo sucedió tras un telón de misterio.

C1

Everything happened behind a shroud of mystery.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • primer plano (foreground)

Common Collocations

  • telón de fondo – backdrop / background context
  • telón de acero – Iron Curtain (historical context)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "telón" in Spanish:

theater curtain→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: telón

Question 1 of 3

If you are at home and want to close your bedroom curtains, which word should you use?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
tela(fabric/cloth) — Noun
telar(loom) — Noun
teloncillo(small curtain / teaser) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
canciónavióncorazón
📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the Spanish word 'tela' (from Latin 'tela', meaning 'web' or 'cloth'), combined with the augmentative suffix '-ón' to denote a large piece of fabric.

First recorded: 17th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: toileItalian: telo

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'telón' always masculine?

Yes, 'el telón' is always masculine. Most words ending in '-ón' follow this rule.

What is the 'Telón de Acero'?

It is the Spanish term for the 'Iron Curtain,' the political boundary that divided Europe during the Cold War.

Can I use 'telón' for a movie screen?

No, a movie screen is called 'la pantalla'. 'Telón' refers specifically to fabric curtains.