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velas

VE-lasˈbelas

candles

Also: tapers
NounfA1
Three simple, white cylindrical candles standing upright, each topped with a small, brightly burning yellow flame, providing a soft glow.

📝 In Action

Compramos diez velas para la tarta de cumpleaños.

A1

We bought ten candles for the birthday cake.

Cuando se fue la luz, tuvimos que encender velas.

A2

When the power went out, we had to light candles.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cirios (large candles (often religious))

Common Collocations

  • soplar las velas – to blow out the candles
  • encender velas – to light candles

sails

Also: wings
NounfB1
A small, traditional sailing boat with large white triangular sails fully extended, moving quickly across a bright blue ocean.

📝 In Action

El viento hinchó las velas y el barco zarpó.

B1

The wind filled the sails and the boat set sail.

Subieron las velas mayores para aprovechar la brisa.

B2

They raised the main sails to take advantage of the breeze.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • izar las velas – to hoist the sails
  • navegar a velas – to sail (using sails)

Idioms & Expressions

  • ir viento en popa a toda vela – to be doing very well; to have smooth sailing

you watch over, you stay awake

Also: you sail
VerbB1regular ar
A gentle adult figure sitting quietly next to a crib, looking attentively and protectively at the small, sleeping child inside.
infinitivevelar
gerundvelando
past Participlevelado

📝 In Action

Si velas por tu salud, te sentirás mejor.

B1

If you watch over your health, you will feel better.

¿Por qué velas tan tarde? ¿Tienes mucho trabajo?

B2

Why are you staying up so late? Do you have a lot of work?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cuidas (you take care of)
  • vigilas (you watch/keep guard)

Antonyms

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedvela
yovelo
túvelas
ellos/ellas/ustedesvelan
nosotrosvelamos
vosotrosveláis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedvelaba
yovelaba
túvelabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesvelaban
nosotrosvelábamos
vosotrosvelabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedveló
yovelé
túvelaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesvelaron
nosotrosvelamos
vosotrosvelasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedvele
yovele
túveles
ellos/ellas/ustedesvelen
nosotrosvelemos
vosotrosveléis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedvelara / velase
yovelara / velase
túvelaras / velases
ellos/ellas/ustedesvelaran / velasen
nosotrosveláramos / velásemos
vosotrosvelarais / velaseis
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "velas" in Spanish:

candles→sails→tapers→wings→you sail→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: velas

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'velas' as a physical object?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
vela(candle / sail) — Noun
velar(to watch over / to stay awake) — Verb
velador(watchman / bedside table) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The noun 'vela' (both candle and sail) and the verb 'velar' (to watch) all trace back to the Latin word *vigilare*, meaning 'to watch' or 'to be awake.' The candle was historically used during a *vigilia* (a vigil or watch), and the sail was associated with the idea of watching the wind.

First recorded: Medieval Spanish

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: velaItalian: veglia

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if 'velas' means 'candles' or 'you watch over'?

The easiest way is to look at the words around it. If you see 'las' or a number before it (e.g., 'cinco velas'), it is the noun 'candles' or 'sails.' If you see 'Tú' or the meaning implies an action (e.g., 'Tú velas por tu familia'), it is the verb form 'you watch over.'