Inklingo

How to Say "angle" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “angle” is “ángulo” — use this for the geometric concept of an angle measured in degrees or radians, or a physical corner in geometry or physics.

English → Spanish

ángulo

nounA2general
Use this for the geometric concept of an angle measured in degrees or radians, or a physical corner in geometry or physics.

Examples

El carpintero cortó la madera en un ángulo de 45 grados.

The carpenter cut the wood at a 45-degree angle.

esquina

ess-KEE-nahesˈkina

nounA1general
This refers to the physical corner of a street, building, or room where two surfaces or lines meet.
A colorful storybook illustration of a clear, sharp street corner where two paved roads meet, forming a right angle.

Examples

La farmacia está en la esquina de la calle principal.

The pharmacy is on the corner of the main street.

Tuvimos que doblar la esquina para ver el mural.

We had to turn the corner to see the mural.

Se me dobló la esquina de la página del libro.

The corner of the book page got folded.

Feminine Noun

Esquina is always feminine, so you must use 'la' or 'una' before it: 'la esquina'.

Esquina vs. Rincón

Mistake: “Using 'rincón' when talking about a street corner.”

Correction: Use 'esquina' for outside corners (streets) and 'rincón' for inside corners or cozy, hidden corners (of a room).

rincón

nounA2general
Use this for a more enclosed or tucked-away corner, often inside a room or a more intimate space.

Examples

Mi perro siempre se esconde detrás del sofá en el rincón.

My dog always hides behind the sofa in the corner.

inclinación

nounB1general
This translates to 'angle' when referring to a slope, gradient, or tilt, especially of a surface or road.

Examples

La calle tiene una inclinación muy fuerte.

The street has a very steep slope.

perspectiva

per-spek-TEE-vahpeɾspekˈtiβa

nounB1general
Use this when 'angle' means a point of view, outlook, or way of looking at an issue or situation.
Two cartoon children standing on opposite sides of a large, colorful, L-shaped object. One child sees only a tall rectangle, while the other sees a short, wide rectangle, illustrating differing viewpoints.

Examples

Necesitas cambiar tu perspectiva sobre el problema para encontrar una solución.

You need to change your perspective on the problem to find a solution.

Desde mi perspectiva, la nueva política es injusta.

From my viewpoint, the new policy is unfair.

Tiene una perspectiva muy optimista sobre el futuro de la empresa.

She has a very optimistic outlook on the future of the company.

Gender Check

Even though it ends in '-a', 'perspectiva' is a feminine noun, so you must always use 'la' or 'una' before it: 'la perspectiva'.

Mixing Prepositions

Mistake: “Por mi perspectiva, es mejor así.”

Correction: Desde mi perspectiva, es mejor así. (Use 'desde' [from] when expressing where your viewpoint originates.)

flanco

FLAHN-kohˈflaŋko

nounC1formal
This is a more figurative use, referring to a weak side, aspect, or perspective of an argument or situation.
A large stone wall with a small, visible crack in one section.

Examples

Ese argumento es su flanco débil.

That argument is his weak spot.

No dejaron ningún flanco abierto en su estrategia de ventas.

They didn't leave any weak spots open in their sales strategy.

Atacó el flanco más vulnerable de la teoría.

He attacked the most vulnerable part of the theory.

Figurative Usage

In Spanish, as in English, military terms are often used to describe arguments or business competition.

Physical Corners vs. Geometric Angles

Learners often confuse 'esquina' and 'ángulo'. Remember that 'esquina' refers to the physical meeting point of streets or rooms, while 'ángulo' is the geometric measurement (like 45 degrees) or the sharp point itself in geometric terms.

Related Translations

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