Thursday, 22 May 2014

Ala

Today's WOTD is: "ala" = wing
In Spanish, “ala” is a feminine noun of Latin origin, the main meaning of which is wing, as in:
  • El águila extendió las alas y echó a volar (the eagle opened its wings and set off flying);
  • El avión dispone de salidas de emergencia sobre las alas (the aircraft is fitted with emergency exits over the wings);
  • La unidad de cuidados intensivos se encuentra en el ala oeste (the intensive care unit is located in the west wing);
  • Una iniciativa que no cuenta con el apoyo del ala conservadora del partido (an initiative which is not supported by the conservative wing of the party);

The noun “ala” is also used to refer to the brim of a hat, as in:
  • Llevaban sombreros de ala ancha (they were wearing wide brimmed hats);

Also related is the describing word/ adjective “alado”/ “alada”, which means winged, as in:
  • Pegaso era un caballo alado (Pegasus was a winged horse);

Some expressions in Spanish with the word “ala” are:
  • Ahuecar el ala (to leave);
    • En cuanto se hizo de noche, ahuecamos el ala (as soon as it got dark, we left);
  • Ala delta (delta wing/ hang glider);
  • Cortarle las alas a alguien (to clip somebody's wings);
  • Dar alas a alguien (to encourage somebody);
  • Sombrero de ala ancha (wide brimmed hat);
  • Sombrero de ala corta (narrow brimmed hat);
  • Vuelo de ala delta (hang glider flight);

Love-Spanish.com loves the word "ala" in the YouTube clip: Divididos Ala Delta

For more on the word "ala", visit: Wordreference.com/es/en/ Ala*

*NB 'Click' on the speaker icon next to the word “ala” in the link to hear the word pronounced.

Spanish lessons online
Skype/ Google+ Hangout/ Facetime
Great lessons
© Copyright 2014 Love-Spanish.com. by Jose M González. All Rights Reserved.

No comments: