volante
/boh-LAHN-teh/
steering wheel
Volante means steering wheel.
volante(noun)
steering wheel
?The part of a vehicle you use to direct it
wheel
?When referring to the control mechanism, especially in a car
📝 In Action
Tienes que agarrar el volante con ambas manos.
A2You have to grip the steering wheel with both hands.
El airbag está escondido dentro del volante.
B1The airbag is hidden inside the steering wheel.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun
Even though it ends in '-e', 'volante' is always masculine, so you use 'el volante' or 'un volante'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Driving Terminology
To say someone is driving, you can use the phrase 'ir al volante' (to go at the wheel).
Volante can refer to a flyer or printed notice.
volante(noun)
flyer
?A printed advertisement or notice
leaflet
?Small promotional paper
,handbill
?Advertising paper handed out
📝 In Action
Me dieron un volante sobre la nueva pizzería.
B1They gave me a flyer about the new pizzeria.
Hay que diseñar el volante para el evento de la próxima semana.
B2We need to design the flyer for next week's event.
💡 Grammar Points
Context is Key
The meaning of 'volante' depends entirely on context. If you are near a car, it means 'steering wheel'; if you are talking about advertising, it means 'flyer'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Origin Connection
Think of a 'flyer' as something that 'flies' or is passed quickly from hand to hand, connecting back to the idea of movement.
Volante is the Spanish word for shuttlecock.
volante(noun)
shuttlecock
?The feathered object hit in badminton
birdie
?Informal term for a shuttlecock
📝 In Action
El juego de bádminton comienza con el saque del volante.
B2The badminton game starts with the serve of the shuttlecock.
Perdimos el volante en el tejado.
B2We lost the birdie on the roof.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Sport Specificity
Mistake: "Using 'pelota' for the object in badminton."
Correction: The correct term is 'volante' (or 'plumilla' in some regions), not 'pelota' (ball), because it flies differently.
In soccer, volante refers to a midfielder.
volante(noun)
midfielder
?A position in football (soccer)
winger
?Specifically an attacking midfielder who plays wide
📝 In Action
El entrenador necesita un volante central más defensivo.
C1The coach needs a more defensive central midfielder.
Nuestro mejor volante fue transferido al equipo rival.
C1Our best midfielder was transferred to the rival team.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Flexibility
When referring to a female player, the article changes but the word 'volante' usually stays the same: 'la volante' (the female midfielder).
⭐ Usage Tips
Football Jargon
This term is most common in Latin American Spanish, especially Argentina. In Spain, 'centrocampista' or 'mediocampista' are often preferred.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: volante
Question 1 of 2
Which meaning of 'volante' relates to the verb 'volar' (to fly) because it is often tossed or distributed quickly?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'volante' means steering wheel or flyer?
Context is everything! If the conversation is about driving, cars, or controlling a vehicle, it's the steering wheel. If the conversation is about advertising, events, or street promotions, it's a flyer.
Is 'volante' used for anything else that spins or flies?
Yes, it can also refer to a 'flywheel' (a machine part that regulates speed by spinning) or a 'shuttlecock' in the sport of badminton, keeping the core idea of rotation or quick movement.