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How to Say "skies" in Spanish

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cielos

SYAY-lohs/ˈsje.los/

NounA1General
Use 'cielos' when referring to the atmospheric space above, especially when discussing weather, clouds, or the general expanse of the sky.
A wide view of a bright blue sky filled with fluffy white cumulus clouds floating peacefully.

Examples

Los cielos de la ciudad estaban llenos de nubes rojas.

The skies over the city were full of red clouds.

Según la leyenda, las almas buenas van a los cielos.

According to the legend, good souls go to the heavens.

Plural and Gender

'Cielos' is the plural of 'cielo'. It is always masculine, requiring the article 'los' (los cielos).

Confusing Singular and Plural

Mistake: “Using 'el cielos' instead of 'los cielos'.”

Correction: Always match the article and the noun in Spanish: 'el cielo' (singular) or 'los cielos' (plural).

alturas

ahl-TOO-ras/alˈtuɾas/

nounA2Poetic/Exaggerated
Use 'alturas' poetically or hyperbolically to describe immense height, often from a vantage point looking down, rather than the sky itself.
A colorful illustration of a sharp mountain peak dramatically rising into a bright blue sky, emphasizing extreme elevation and distance from the ground.

Examples

Desde las alturas, la ciudad parecía un mapa pequeño.

From the heights, the city looked like a small map.

Prefiero vivir en las alturas de la montaña, donde el aire es puro.

I prefer to live in the high places of the mountain, where the air is pure.

El águila volaba a grandes alturas, casi invisible.

The eagle was flying at great heights, almost invisible.

Always Plural

This word is almost always used in its plural form, 'alturas,' when referring to a general elevated area or the sense of 'heights.'

Confusing Singular/Plural

Mistake: “Usar 'la altura' para referirse a un lugar alto.”

Correction: 'La altura' usually means the specific measurement of height (e.g., 'What is your height?'). Use 'las alturas' when talking about high places.

Confusing 'cielos' and 'alturas'

Learners often mistakenly use 'alturas' when they simply mean the sky. Remember that 'cielos' is the everyday word for the sky, while 'alturas' specifically implies great elevation or looking down from a high place.

Related Translations

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