vertiente
“vertiente” means “slope” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
slope
Also: watershed, mountainside
📝 In Action
Las cabras subieron por la vertiente norte de la montaña.
B2The goats climbed up the northern slope of the mountain.
Esta vertiente del río es muy fértil gracias a las lluvias.
B2This watershed of the river is very fertile thanks to the rains.
El pueblo está situado en una vertiente muy pronunciada.
C1The village is located on a very steep slope.
aspect
Also: facet, side
📝 In Action
Tenemos que analizar la vertiente económica de este nuevo contrato.
C1We have to analyze the economic aspect of this new contract.
El proyecto tiene una vertiente social muy importante.
B2The project has a very important social side to it.
Desde esta vertiente del problema, la solución parece más clara.
C1From this angle of the problem, the solution seems clearer.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: vertiente
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is a correct way to use 'vertiente'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin 'vertens, vertentis', which is a form of the verb 'vertere', meaning 'to turn' or 'to pour'. It originally described how water turns and flows down a hill.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'vertiente' the same as 'ladera'?
They are very similar! 'Ladera' is more common for just a 'hillside,' while 'vertiente' often implies the way water drains off that slope or is used more in professional contexts.
Can I use 'vertiente' as a verb?
No, it is only a noun. If you want to say 'to pour,' use the verb 'verter'.
Why is it feminine if it ends in 'e'?
Spanish has many exceptions to the 'o/a' rule. Nouns ending in '-ente' or '-ante' can be either masculine or feminine, and 'vertiente' happened to settle as feminine over time.