How to Say "wing" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “wing” is “ala” — use 'ala' for the literal wing of a bird, insect, or aircraft, or for a section of a building like a library or hospital.
ala
ah-lahˈala
Examples
El águila extendió sus alas antes de volar.
The eagle spread its wings before flying.
Necesitamos revisar el ala derecha del avión.
We need to check the right wing of the plane.
El entrenador puso al jugador más rápido en el ala izquierda.
The coach put the fastest player on the left wing.
El partido político tiene una ala más conservadora.
The political party has a more conservative flank (or wing).
A Feminine Noun That Uses 'El'
Even though 'ala' is a feminine noun, we use the masculine article 'el' in the singular (el ala) because the word starts with a stressed 'a' sound. This is done to make pronunciation smoother. In the plural, it returns to the feminine article: las alas.
Using 'La' in the Singular
Mistake: “La ala está rota.”
Correction: El ala está rota. (Remember, use 'el' for singular feminine nouns starting with a stressed 'a'.)
ala
ah-lahˈala
Examples
El entrenador puso al jugador más rápido en el ala izquierda.
The coach put the fastest player on the left wing.
El águila extendió sus alas antes de volar.
The eagle spread its wings before flying.
Necesitamos revisar el ala derecha del avión.
We need to check the right wing of the plane.
El partido político tiene una ala más conservadora.
The political party has a more conservative flank (or wing).
A Feminine Noun That Uses 'El'
Even though 'ala' is a feminine noun, we use the masculine article 'el' in the singular (el ala) because the word starts with a stressed 'a' sound. This is done to make pronunciation smoother. In the plural, it returns to the feminine article: las alas.
Using 'La' in the Singular
Mistake: “La ala está rota.”
Correction: El ala está rota. (Remember, use 'el' for singular feminine nouns starting with a stressed 'a'.)
ala
ah-lahˈala
Examples
Tuvimos que ir a la nueva ala de la biblioteca.
We had to go to the new wing of the library.
El águila extendió sus alas antes de volar.
The eagle spread its wings before flying.
Necesitamos revisar el ala derecha del avión.
We need to check the right wing of the plane.
El entrenador puso al jugador más rápido en el ala izquierda.
The coach put the fastest player on the left wing.
A Feminine Noun That Uses 'El'
Even though 'ala' is a feminine noun, we use the masculine article 'el' in the singular (el ala) because the word starts with a stressed 'a' sound. This is done to make pronunciation smoother. In the plural, it returns to the feminine article: las alas.
Using 'La' in the Singular
Mistake: “La ala está rota.”
Correction: El ala está rota. (Remember, use 'el' for singular feminine nouns starting with a stressed 'a'.)
flanco
FLAHN-kohˈflaŋko
Examples
Subieron por el flanco norte de la montaña.
They went up the north side of the mountain.
El edificio tiene ventanas grandes en su flanco derecho.
The building has large windows on its right side.
Las flores crecen en los flancos del valle.
Flowers grow on the sides of the valley.
El general ordenó atacar el flanco izquierdo del enemigo.
The general ordered an attack on the enemy's left flank.
Masculine Noun
This word is always masculine, even if the 'side' refers to something feminine like 'la montaña' (the mountain).
Pluralization
Simply add an 's' to make it plural (los flancos) when talking about multiple sides.
Prepositions with Flanco
We usually use 'por el' (by the/through the) to describe movement along a flank.
Flanco vs. Lado
Mistake: “Using 'flanco' for everyday small objects.”
Correction: Use 'lado' for things like a phone or a table. Use 'flanco' for bigger things like mountains or large ships.
flanco
FLAHN-kohˈflaŋko
Examples
El general ordenó atacar el flanco izquierdo del enemigo.
The general ordered an attack on the enemy's left flank.
Subieron por el flanco norte de la montaña.
They went up the north side of the mountain.
El edificio tiene ventanas grandes en su flanco derecho.
The building has large windows on its right side.
Las flores crecen en los flancos del valle.
Flowers grow on the sides of the valley.
Masculine Noun
This word is always masculine, even if the 'side' refers to something feminine like 'la montaña' (the mountain).
Pluralization
Simply add an 's' to make it plural (los flancos) when talking about multiple sides.
Prepositions with Flanco
We usually use 'por el' (by the/through the) to describe movement along a flank.
Flanco vs. Lado
Mistake: “Using 'flanco' for everyday small objects.”
Correction: Use 'lado' for things like a phone or a table. Use 'flanco' for bigger things like mountains or large ships.
pabellón
Examples
Mi abuelo está ingresado en el pabellón de cardiología.
My grandfather is admitted to the cardiology ward.
Confusing 'Ala' with 'Flanco' in Sports
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