Inklingo

How to Say "descent" in Spanish

English → Spanish

bajada

/ba-HA-dah//baˈxaða/

nounA2general
Use 'bajada' when referring to the act or process of going down, especially in a physical sense like descending a slope or street.
A hiker walking down a steep mountain path toward a lush valley.

Examples

La bajada del precio fue repentina.

The drop in price was sudden.

La bajada de la montaña fue más difícil que la subida.

The descent from the mountain was harder than the climb up.

Ten cuidado con esa bajada, es muy empinada.

Be careful with that slope; it is very steep.

Tardamos veinte minutos en la bajada hasta el río.

We took twenty minutes on the way down to the river.

Nouns from Verbs

'Bajada' is the noun version of the verb 'bajar' (to go down). Many Spanish nouns end in '-ada' to describe the action or result of a verb.

Using 'de'

To say what you are going down, use 'de': 'la bajada de la colina' (the descent of/from the hill).

Don't confuse with 'bajo'

Mistake:La montaña tiene un bajo muy largo.

Correction: La montaña tiene una bajada muy larga. 'Bajo' means 'low' (adjective), while 'bajada' is the noun for the physical path down.

descenso

/des-SEN-so//desˈsenso/

nounB1general
Use 'descenso' for a more formal or technical term for physical downward movement, such as in sports, aviation, or when describing a longer duration of descent.
A hiker walking down a steep mountain path toward a valley.

Examples

El descenso en globo fue una experiencia increíble.

The descent in the hot air balloon was an incredible experience.

El descenso de la montaña duró tres horas.

The descent from the mountain lasted three hours.

Hubo un descenso en las temperaturas esta noche.

There was a drop in temperatures tonight.

Los economistas predicen un descenso de los precios.

Economists predict a decrease in prices.

A Masculine 'O' Noun

This word follows the standard rule: it ends in 'o' and is masculine, so always use 'el' or 'un' with it.

Using 'de' for what is dropping

When you want to say what is going down (like prices or water), just put 'de' after descenso. For example: 'descenso de agua'.

Descenso vs. Bajada

Mistake:Using 'descenso' for a simple flight of stairs.

Correction: Use 'bajada' for everyday things like stairs or hills. Use 'descenso' for technical things, sports, or long mountain treks.

extracción

nounC1formal
Use 'extracción' specifically to talk about a person's origin or background, meaning their ancestry or social class they come from.

Examples

Ella es de extracción noble.

She is of noble extraction.

Physical Descent vs. Origin

Learners often confuse 'bajada' and 'descenso' with 'extracción'. Remember that 'bajada' and 'descenso' always refer to physical downward movement, while 'extracción' is exclusively about a person's background or ancestry.

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