Inklingo

How to Say "slope" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pendiente

pen-DYEN-teh/penˈdjen.te/

nounB1general
Use 'pendiente' for any incline or gradient, whether natural or man-made, often emphasizing its steepness.
A cross-section view of a very steep, grassy green hill, clearly illustrating a strong upward incline.

Examples

Tuvimos que subir una pendiente muy pronunciada.

We had to climb a very steep slope.

La casa está construida en la pendiente de la colina.

The house is built on the hillside.

Gender Distinction

When 'pendiente' refers to a slope or incline, it is always feminine: 'la pendiente'. This is different from the masculine noun 'el pendiente' (earring).

cuesta

KWEH-stah/ˈkwesta/

nounB1general
Use 'cuesta' for a general upward or downward incline, often a road or path, emphasizing the effort of climbing it.
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.)

falda

FAHL-dah/ˈfalda/

nounB1general
Use 'falda' specifically for the side or base of a hill or mountain.
A smooth, gentle green grassy slope leading up the side of a small hill against a blue sky.

Examples

El pueblo se encuentra en la falda de la montaña, justo donde empieza la vegetación.

The town is located on the slope of the mountain, right where the vegetation begins.

Caminamos por la falda de la colina para evitar el pico.

We walked along the flank of the hill to avoid the peak.

Metaphorical Use

This meaning uses the idea of a skirt surrounding the body, applying it to the base of a mountain or hill, which 'surrounds' the peak.

pista

/PEES-tah//ˈpis.ta/

nounB1sports
Use 'pista' only when referring to a track or slope specifically designed for skiing.
A vibrant red athletic running track with white lane lines curving around a grassy center field.

Examples

Los coches de carreras van muy rápido en la pista.

The race cars go very fast on the track.

Tenemos reservada la pista de tenis a las cinco.

We have the tennis court reserved at five.

Me encanta patinar en la pista de hielo en invierno.

I love skating at the ice rink in winter.

General Incline vs. Mountain Side

Learners often confuse 'pendiente' and 'cuesta' with 'falda'. Remember that 'falda' is exclusively for the side of a hill or mountain, while 'pendiente' and 'cuesta' are more general terms for any incline.

Related Translations

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