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How to Say "hill" in Spanish

English → Spanish

colina

co-LEE-nahkoˈlina

nounA2general
Use 'colina' for a general, natural, and often rounded rise in the land, especially when it's not particularly steep.
A storybook illustration of a smooth, green, grassy hill rising gently from a flat plain under a bright blue sky.

Examples

Nuestra casa está construida en la cima de una pequeña colina.

Our house is built on the top of a small hill.

Los niños subieron la colina corriendo para ver el atardecer.

The children ran up the hill to watch the sunset.

El terreno montañoso se suaviza en una serie de colinas ondulantes cerca del río.

The mountainous terrain softens into a series of rolling hills near the river.

Gender Rule for Nouns

Remember that 'colina' is a feminine noun, so you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la colina' or 'una colina alta').

Confusing Nouns

Mistake: “Using 'montaña' when the elevation is small.”

Correction: 'Montaña' is for a mountain (much larger and usually rocky). 'Colina' is for a gentle, smaller hill.

monte

món-teˈmonte

nounA2general
Choose 'monte' for a small, rounded elevation, often used for named mountains or significant natural features.
A colorful illustration of a single large green mount or hill under a bright blue sky.

Examples

El Monte Fuji es un volcán muy famoso en Japón.

Mount Fuji is a very famous volcano in Japan.

Subimos a la cima del monte para ver el amanecer.

We climbed to the top of the mount/hill to see the sunrise.

Formal Names

When referring to famous geographical features, 'monte' is often used as the equivalent of 'Mount' in English, like 'Monte Everest'.

cuesta

KWEH-stahˈkwesta

nounB1general
Use 'cuesta' when referring to a slope or an incline, particularly one that is noticeably steep.
A simplistic landscape illustration showing a smooth, steep green hill with a clear upward incline, representing a slope.

Examples

Hay una cuesta muy empinada después del río.

There is a very steep slope after the river.

Mi casa está en la cima de la cuesta.

My house is at the top of the hill.

Tuvimos que empujar el coche en la cuesta.

We had to push the car up the incline.

Gender and Articles

'Cuesta' is always feminine, so you must use 'la cuesta' or 'una cuesta'. Pay attention to the definite article.

Mixing up the Noun and Verb

Mistake: “Using the noun 'cuesta' where the verb form is needed, like 'La cuesta ir al gimnasio.'”

Correction: Use the verb form 'cuesta': 'Me cuesta ir al gimnasio.' (It is difficult for me to go to the gym.)

elevación

nounB1general
Employ 'elevación' when discussing a rise in terrain in a more technical or geographical context, often referring to altitude.

Examples

La ciudad se encuentra a una elevación de mil metros sobre el nivel del mar.

The city is at an elevation of one thousand meters above sea level.

Colina vs. Cuesta

The most common confusion is between 'colina' and 'cuesta'. Remember that 'colina' refers to the hill itself as a natural landform, while 'cuesta' specifically describes the incline or slope, often implying difficulty in ascending.

Related Translations

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