Inklingo

How to Say "wheel" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “wheel” is “rueda” — use 'rueda' for a wheel that is part of a vehicle (like a car, bike, or cart) or a machine, such as a wheel on a Ferris wheel or a potter's wheel..

English → Spanish

rueda

RWEH-dahˈrweða

nounA1general
Use 'rueda' for a wheel that is part of a vehicle (like a car, bike, or cart) or a machine, such as a wheel on a Ferris wheel or a potter's wheel.
A single, brown wooden wagon wheel with visible spokes, centered on a plain background.

Examples

Se me pinchó una rueda en la autopista.

I got a flat tire on the highway.

Las ruedas de mi bicicleta son nuevas.

The wheels on my bicycle are new.

La rueda de repuesto está en el maletero.

The spare wheel is in the trunk.

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'rueda' is a feminine noun, so you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la rueda', 'ruedas grandes').

volante

/boh-LAHN-teh//boˈlante/

nounA2general
Use 'volante' specifically when referring to the steering wheel that a driver uses to control a vehicle.
A simple black steering wheel with spokes, seen from the driver's perspective inside a vehicle.

Examples

Tienes que agarrar el volante con ambas manos.

You have to grip the steering wheel with both hands.

El airbag está escondido dentro del volante.

The airbag is hidden inside the steering wheel.

Masculine Noun

Even though it ends in '-e', 'volante' is always masculine, so you use 'el volante' or 'un volante'.

Rueda vs. Volante

The most common mistake is using 'rueda' when you mean the steering wheel. Remember that 'volante' is the specific term for the wheel you use to steer a car, while 'rueda' refers to any wheel on a vehicle or machine.

Related Translations

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