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órbita

OR-bi-taˈoɾβita

“órbita” means “orbit” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

orbit

Also: path
NounfB1
A small blue planet shown following a clear, smooth elliptical path around a large, bright yellow sun against the dark backdrop of space.

📝 In Action

El satélite artificial ha entrado en órbita y ahora da vueltas a la Tierra.

B1

The artificial satellite has entered orbit and is now circling the Earth.

Para viajar al espacio, necesitamos calcular la órbita correcta.

B1

To travel to space, we need to calculate the correct orbit.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • entrar en órbita – to enter orbit
  • poner en órbita – to put into orbit

sphere of influence

Also: scope
NounfC1
A majestic castle sitting prominently on a green hill. A glowing, circular boundary line clearly surrounds the castle and the hill, symbolizing its area of influence.

📝 In Action

El director ha ampliado su órbita de acción dentro de la empresa.

C1

The director has expanded their scope of action within the company.

Ese país está en la órbita económica de su vecino más grande.

B2

That country is in the economic sphere of influence of its larger neighbor.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • estar en la órbita de alguien – to be under someone's influence/control

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "órbita" in Spanish:

orbit→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: órbita

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'órbita' in its figurative, non-astronomical meaning?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
orbital(orbital (adjective)) — Adjective
orbitar(to orbit) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
pitabonita
📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin word *orbita*, which originally meant 'wheel track' or 'path made by a wheel'. This path metaphor expanded over time, first to astronomy and later to spheres of influence.

First recorded: Medieval Latin (Astronomy context)

Cognates (Related words)

English: orbitItalian: orbita

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Frequently Asked Questions

¿Por qué 'órbita' lleva acento (tilde)?

The accent mark (tilde) is there because 'órbita' is a word where the stress falls on the third-to-last syllable (ÓR-bi-ta). In Spanish, words that follow this pattern must always have a written accent mark.