vela

VAY-lah

nounfA1

candle?light source

Also:taper?thin candle

📝 In Action

En la oscuridad, encendimos una vela para ver.

In the darkness, we lit a candle to see.

Puso tres velas en el pastel de cumpleaños.

She put three candles on the birthday cake.

Word Connections

Synonyms

cirio (large candle)

Common Collocations

encender una vela – to light a candle
apagar la vela – to blow out the candle

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Check

Remember that 'vela' is feminine, so you must use 'la vela' or 'una vela' (the candle, a candle).

⭐ Usage Tips

Cultural Context

Velas are frequently used in Spanish-speaking cultures for religious ceremonies or memorials.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: vela

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'vela' to mean 'to watch over'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

velero(sailboat/sailor) - noun

velar(to watch over/to cover with a veil) - verb

velada(evening party/wake) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if 'vela' means 'candle' or 'sail'?

Context is key! If you are talking about light, birthdays, or religion, it means 'candle.' If you are talking about the ocean, wind, or boats, it means 'sail.' Both noun forms are feminine ('la vela').

Is 'vela' related to the word 'velorio'?

Yes. 'Velorio' (a wake or vigil) is directly related to the verb 'velar' (to watch or stay awake), which shares the root with 'vela' (candle), as candles were traditionally used during wakes.