How to Say "flanks" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “flanks” is “lados” — use 'lados' when referring to the sides of a physical object, a geometric shape, or the general sides of a body or formation.
lados
lah-dohsˈlaðos
Examples
El equipo de fútbol atacó por ambos lados del campo.
The soccer team attacked on both sides of the field.
Los cuatro lados de la caja deben ser sellados.
The four sides of the box must be sealed.
Me duele la espalda y los lados del cuerpo.
My back and the sides of my body hurt.
Puso el libro con los lados hacia arriba.
He placed the book with the sides facing up.
Masculine Plural
Since the singular form is 'el lado' (masculine), the plural 'lados' always uses the masculine article 'los'.
Confusing Gender
Mistake: “La lados (using the feminine article).”
Correction: Use the masculine article: Los lados. Think of it as 'The sides (male).'
alas
AH-lahsˈa.las
Examples
Los soldados se desplegaron por las alas de la formación.
The soldiers deployed along the flanks of the formation.
Las aves extienden sus alas antes de despegar.
The birds extend their wings before taking off.
El avión tiene alas muy grandes para un vuelo tan corto.
The plane has very large wings for such a short flight.
El entrenador reforzó las alas de su equipo para el contraataque.
The coach strengthened the flanks (wings) of his team for the counterattack.
Feminine Noun, Masculine Article (Singular)
The singular form, 'ala,' is a feminine word, but because it starts with a stressed 'A' sound, we use the masculine article 'el' (el ala) instead of 'la' to make it easier to say. In the plural, we use the correct feminine article: 'las alas'.
Using the wrong article in plural
Mistake: “Los alas”
Correction: Las alas. Remember, the word is feminine, and in the plural, it takes the standard feminine article 'las'.
Flanks vs. Sides: Formation vs. Object
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