vuelo
/bwéh-loh/
flight
The word vuelo can refer to a commercial flight or air travel.
vuelo(noun)
flight
?air travel, commercial trip
plane trip
?informal substitute
,air service
?referring to a route or schedule
📝 In Action
Nuestro vuelo a Chile sale a las diez de la noche.
A1Our flight to Chile leaves at ten o'clock tonight.
¿Perdiste el vuelo? ¡Qué lástima!
A2Did you miss the flight? What a shame!
Compré un vuelo directo para evitar las escalas.
B1I bought a direct flight to avoid layovers.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Noun and Verb
Mistake: "Using 'volar' when you mean the noun 'vuelo'."
Correction: 'Volar' means 'to fly' (the action), while 'vuelo' is the ticketed trip itself. Correct: 'El vuelo es mañana.' (The flight is tomorrow.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with airlines
You will often see 'vuelo' used with specific flight numbers, like 'Vuelo IB315', just like in English.
Vuelo also describes the physical act of flying, like the flight of a bird.
vuelo(noun)
flight
?the physical act of flying (of a bird or object)
,soaring
?metaphorical movement or grand scale
flair
?figurative: imagination or originality
,sweep
?figurative: wide range or extent
📝 In Action
El águila tomó el vuelo y se perdió en el cielo azul.
B1The eagle took flight and disappeared into the blue sky.
El ensayo carecía de vuelo; era demasiado simple.
C1The essay lacked flair/originality; it was too simple.
Los científicos necesitan dar vuelo a su imaginación para resolver este problema.
B2Scientists need to let their imagination soar (take flight) to solve this problem.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
In its figurative sense, 'vuelo' is often paired with abstract nouns like 'imaginación' or 'creatividad' to mean 'scope' or 'freedom'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: vuelo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'vuelo' in its figurative sense (imagination/flair)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'vuelo' the same as 'volada'?
Not usually. 'Vuelo' is the standard word for a scheduled flight or the act of flying. 'Volada' is much less common and often refers to a single, quick fly-by or a sudden, daring action, especially in Latin America.
Does 'vuelo' have any meaning related to clothing?
Yes, although it's less common. 'Vuelo' can also refer to a ruffle, frill, or a wide, flowing skirt section that gives the clothing a sense of 'flight' or movement.