vela
When talking about a "vela," you're referring to a candle. This is a very common word, and you'll hear it frequently in everyday Spanish. It can also refer to a sail on a boat, but in most contexts, it means candle. Think of it as a practical item for light or decoration. It's an important word to know for describing things around the house or in cultural contexts.
§ What 'vela' means and how to use it
The Spanish word 'vela' (pronounced VEH-lah) is a common noun you'll hear often. At its most basic, 'vela' means 'candle'. Think of a cylinder of wax with a wick, designed to give light. This is the primary and most frequent use of the word.
- Definition
- A cylinder of wax with a wick, used to provide light, often in religious settings.
You'll encounter 'vela' in many everyday situations. For instance, if the power goes out, someone might say, "¡Necesitamos una vela!" (We need a candle!). Or, imagine a birthday celebration: "Las velas del pastel" are the candles on the cake.
En la iglesia encendimos una vela por la paz.
Translation hint: In the church we lit a candle for peace.
'Vela' also frequently appears in contexts related to religious practices or spiritual rituals. Many cultures in Spanish-speaking countries use candles in churches, altars, or during specific ceremonies. You might hear phrases like "poner una vela a un santo" (to light a candle for a saint) or "encender velas" (to light candles) as part of a prayer or memorial.
Para el Día de Muertos, muchas familias colocan velas en sus altares.
Translation hint: For the Day of the Dead, many families place candles on their altars.
Beyond its literal meaning, 'vela' can also refer to a 'sail' on a boat. While this usage is less common in daily conversation for most people, it's good to be aware of it, especially if you're talking about nautical topics. However, in most general conversations, if someone says 'vela', they're talking about a candle.
The plural of 'vela' is 'velas'. The word is feminine, so it takes feminine articles and adjectives. For example, 'una vela roja' (a red candle) or 'las velas pequeñas' (the small candles).
Una vela: A candle
Dos velas: Two candles
Encender una vela: To light a candle
Apagar una vela: To blow out/extinguish a candle
Practice using 'vela' in sentences about celebrations, power outages, or even just setting a cozy atmosphere. The more you use it, the more natural it will feel.
§ Common Mistakes with 'Vela'
Learning a new language means you're going to make mistakes. That's totally normal and actually a good way to learn! With the Spanish word 'vela', there are a few common traps English speakers fall into. Let's look at them so you can avoid them.
§ Mistake 1: Confusing 'Vela' with 'Sail'
This is probably the biggest one. In English, 'vela' looks a lot like 'veil', but also sounds a bit like 'sail'. And guess what? 'Vela' can *also* mean 'sail' in Spanish! So, how do you know if it's a candle or a sail?
- DEFINITION
- When referring to a candle, 'vela' is feminine and typically used with verbs related to lighting or burning.
- DEFINITION
- When referring to a sail, 'vela' is also feminine but will be used in contexts related to boats, wind, or sailing.
Encendí una vela para la cena. (I lit a candle for dinner.)
El viento infló la vela del barco. (The wind filled the boat's sail.)
§ Mistake 2: Gender Agreement Errors
'Vela' is a feminine noun. This means any adjectives or articles used with it must also be feminine. This is a common error for English speakers because English doesn't have grammatical gender.
- Incorrect: el vela (masculine article)
- Correct: la vela (feminine article)
- Incorrect: vela pequeño (masculine adjective)
- Correct: vela pequeña (feminine adjective)
Compré una vela aromática. (I bought an aromatic candle.)
§ Mistake 3: Using 'Vela' for 'Watch' or 'Look Out'
While 'vela' is a noun, there is a verb 'velar' which means 'to watch over', 'to keep vigil', or 'to look out for'. Sometimes learners might confuse the noun 'vela' with the verb 'velar' or try to use 'vela' incorrectly in a verb context.
- DEFINITION
- 'Vela' is a noun: a candle or a sail.
- DEFINITION
- 'Velar' is a verb: to watch over, to keep vigil, to look out for.
La madre velaba a su hijo dormido. (The mother watched over her sleeping son.)
§ Mistake 4: Not knowing common expressions
Spanish often uses words in set phrases that don't directly translate. 'Vela' appears in some common expressions. Not knowing these can lead to misunderstanding or sounding unnatural.
- Estar en vela: To be awake, to be up all night (literally 'to be in vigil')
- A toda vela: At full sail, at full speed
Estuve en vela toda la noche estudiando. (I was up all night studying.)
El barco avanzó a toda vela. (The ship advanced at full speed.)
By being aware of these common mistakes, you'll be well on your way to using 'vela' correctly and confidently. Keep practicing, and don't be afraid to make mistakes – they're part of the learning process!
Exemples par niveau
Encendimos una vela para iluminar la habitación oscura.
We lit a candle to illuminate the dark room.
La vela aromática huele a vainilla y lavanda.
The scented candle smells like vanilla and lavender.
Se fue la luz, así que buscamos velas en el cajón.
The power went out, so we looked for candles in the drawer.
En la iglesia, la gente enciende velas para sus seres queridos.
In church, people light candles for their loved ones.
Compramos velas de cumpleaños para el pastel de mi hermana.
We bought birthday candles for my sister's cake.
La llama de la vela bailaba con la brisa.
The candle flame danced with the breeze.
Cuando hay un apagón, las velas son muy útiles.
When there's a blackout, candles are very useful.
Pusimos velas en la mesa para una cena romántica.
We put candles on the table for a romantic dinner.
Souvent confondu avec
While 'vela' means 'candle' or 'sail,' 'el velo' is the masculine noun for 'the veil.' They are spelled differently and have different articles.
This is the correct term. Remember that 'vela' is a feminine noun and takes the article 'la.' The meaning depends on the context.
Don't confuse 'la vela' with 'la bala.' They are similar in sound but have completely different meanings.
Modèles grammaticaux
Expressions idiomatiques
"vela de cera"
wax candle
Compramos velas de cera para la cena romántica. (We bought wax candles for the romantic dinner.)
neutral"a la luz de las velas"
by candlelight
Cenamos a la luz de las velas. (We had dinner by candlelight.)
neutral"aguantar la vela"
to be a third wheel (literally: to hold the candle)
Mis amigos siempre me dejan aguantar la vela cuando salen en pareja. (My friends always leave me to be a third wheel when they go out as a couple.)
informal"apagar las velas"
to blow out the candles (on a birthday cake)
El niño estaba emocionado por apagar las velas de su pastel. (The child was excited to blow out the candles on his cake.)
neutral"tener la vela encendida"
to have hope, to wait for someone (literally: to have the candle lit)
Todavía tiene la vela encendida esperando que regrese. (He still has hope, waiting for her to return.)
neutral"quemar la vela por ambos cabos"
to burn the candle at both ends
No puedes seguir quemando la vela por ambos cabos, te vas a agotar. (You can't keep burning the candle at both ends, you'll get exhausted.)
neutral"la última vela"
the last hope
Esa medicina era la última vela para su recuperación. (That medicine was the last hope for his recovery.)
neutral"como una vela"
straight (like a candle, referring to posture or standing)
El soldado se mantuvo firme como una vela. (The soldier stood firm and straight like a candle.)
neutral"ponerle una vela a Dios y otra al diablo"
to try to please everyone, to play both sides (literally: to put a candle to God and another to the devil)
No confío en él, siempre está poniéndole una vela a Dios y otra al diablo. (I don't trust him, he's always trying to please everyone.)
informal"soplar las velas"
to blow out the candles
Es mi cumpleaños, ¡voy a soplar las velas! (It's my birthday, I'm going to blow out the candles!)
neutralFacile à confondre
Many English speakers might confuse 'vela' with the English word 'veil' due to similar pronunciation. However, 'vela' means 'candle' in Spanish.
While 'vela' sounds similar to 'veil,' their meanings are entirely different. 'Vela' is a source of light, and 'veil' is a piece of cloth.
Encendimos una vela para iluminar la habitación. (We lit a candle to illuminate the room.)
The word 'vela' can also mean 'sail' in Spanish, which can be confusing because the context will determine the meaning.
The meaning of 'vela' depends on the context. If you are talking about a boat, 'vela' means 'sail.' If you are talking about light, it means 'candle.'
El barco desplegó su vela. (The ship unfurled its sail.)
'Velar' is a verb that means 'to watch over' or 'to stay awake,' and it sounds very similar to the noun 'vela.'
Though similar in sound, 'velar' is a verb indicating an action, while 'vela' is a noun. Pay attention to the 'r' at the end for the verb.
La madre veló por su hijo enfermo. (The mother watched over her sick son.)
Some learners might mishear 'vela' as 'bala' due to the similar 'b' and 'v' sounds, which can be subtle in some Spanish accents.
'Vela' starts with a 'v' and 'bala' starts with a 'b.' While they sound similar, 'vela' means candle/sail and 'bala' means bullet.
El vaquero tenía balas en su cinturón. (The cowboy had bullets on his belt.)
The word 'bella' (beautiful) can be confused with 'vela' due to phonetic similarity, especially when spoken quickly.
'Vela' is a noun for candle or sail. 'Bella' is an adjective meaning beautiful. Listen for the 'y' sound in 'bella' compared to the 'l' in 'vela.'
Ella es una mujer muy bella. (She is a very beautiful woman.)
Structures de phrases
Hay una vela.
Hay una vela en la mesa.
La vela es [adjective].
La vela es pequeña.
Necesito una vela para [purpose].
Necesito una vela para la luz.
[Verb] una vela.
Encendí una vela.
La vela está en [place].
La vela está en el altar.
Usamos velas cuando [situation].
Usamos velas cuando no hay electricidad.
La vela de [material] [verb].
La vela de cera ardía lentamente.
El significado de la vela en [context] es [meaning].
El significado de la vela en la cultura es la esperanza.
Famille de mots
Noms
Verbes
Questions fréquentes
10 questions'Vela' (noun) refers to the object, the candle itself. 'Velar' (verb) means 'to watch over' or 'to stay awake'. They're related in meaning because candles were historically used to provide light during vigils, but they are different parts of speech and have distinct uses.
Yes, it can! In Spanish, 'vela' also means 'sail' (as on a boat). The context will make it clear which meaning is intended. For example, 'la vela del barco' (the sail of the boat) versus 'encender una vela' (to light a candle).
The most common way to say 'to light a candle' is 'encender una vela'. You can also use 'prender una vela'.
A common idiom is 'apagar la vela', which literally means 'to put out the candle' but can also metaphorically mean 'to die' or 'to finish something'. Another one is 'a dos velas', which means 'broke' or 'without money', referring to being so poor you only have two candles for light.
The plural of 'vela' is 'velas'. You simply add an 's' to the end.
Yes, 'vela' is always a feminine noun. You'll always use 'la vela' or 'una vela'.
Yes, just like in English, there are different types. For example, 'vela aromática' (scented candle), 'vela de cumpleaños' (birthday candle), or 'vela de cera' (wax candle).
In religious settings, 'vela' is very common. People often light 'velas' in churches as an offering or to remember someone. You might hear phrases like 'encender una vela por un ser querido' (to light a candle for a loved one).
A common mistake is forgetting that 'vela' can also mean 'sail'. Always consider the context to avoid confusion. Also, remember it's feminine, so 'el vela' is incorrect.
While related to the act of a vigil (which is 'velar'), 'vela' itself doesn't directly mean 'vigil'. A vigil is 'una vigilia'. However, candles are often used during vigils, linking the two concepts.
Teste-toi 24 questions
En la iglesia antigua, ¿qué objeto proporcionaba la iluminación principal antes de la electricidad?
En contextos históricos o religiosos, la 'vela' era la fuente de luz más común y a menudo simbólica antes de la llegada de la electricidad. Aunque las lámparas de aceite también se usaban, la vela es la opción más directa según la definición proporcionada.
¿Cuál de las siguientes situaciones NO es un uso típico de una vela hoy en día?
Las velas se usan para ambiente, conmemoración y como luz de emergencia. Para encender una estufa de gas, se usaría un encendedor o fósforo, no una vela entera.
Si alguien te pide una 'vela' en un contexto de cumpleaños, ¿qué están pidiendo?
En un cumpleaños, las 'velas' son pequeñas y se colocan en el pastel para que la persona que cumple años las sople y pida un deseo.
Una vela es comúnmente utilizada en ceremonias religiosas para simbolizar la fe o la esperanza.
Es correcto. En muchas tradiciones religiosas, las velas son un elemento central y simbólico.
Una vela puede ser un objeto puramente decorativo, sin la intención de ser encendida.
Verdadero. Muchas velas se compran y exhiben por su valor estético o aromático sin ser encendidas.
La función principal de una vela es generar calor para cocinar alimentos.
Falso. La función principal de una vela es proporcionar luz, aunque produce algo de calor, no es suficiente ni su propósito principal para cocinar.
This sentence describes how an old candle lit up the night, testing your ability to order adjectives and nouns correctly within a sentence.
This sentence explores the symbolic use of candles. You need to arrange the words to form a coherent statement about lighting a candle for hope.
This sentence depicts a scene where many candles are burning silently at a funeral, emphasizing context and adjectival placement.
Choose the most appropriate synonym for 'vela' when referring to a sailing component.
While 'vela' can refer to a candle, in a nautical context, it means a sail. 'Mastil' is the mast, which is closely associated with a sail.
In a figurative sense, what does 'vela' signify in the expression 'estar en la vela'?
The idiom 'estar en la vela' means to be watchful or on alert, similar to keeping a vigil.
Which of these phrases correctly uses 'vela' to describe the act of staying awake at night?
'Hacer una vela' is a common expression meaning to stay awake or keep a vigil, often for a specific purpose.
The phrase 'a toda vela' implies moving slowly and cautiously.
'A toda vela' means at full sail or at full speed, indicating rapid movement, not slow and cautious.
When someone says 'dar vela a alguien', it refers to giving them a candle to light.
'Dar vela a alguien' is an idiom meaning to give someone an opportunity or a chance, not literally a candle.
In a metaphorical context, 'apagar la vela' can signify ending a life or hope.
Figuratively, 'apagar la vela' (to extinguish the candle) can represent the end of life, hope, or a situation.
Focus on the overall mood and the symbolic meaning of 'vela' in a religious context.
Pay attention to the emotional impact of the 'vela' in a dangerous, confined environment.
Understand the scale and symbolic importance of 'vela' within a complex ritual.
Read this aloud:
Analiza cómo la metáfora de 'la vela que se consume' se aplica a la condición humana, especialmente en el contexto de la finitud y la fugacidad de la vida. Considera las implicaciones filosóficas y emocionales de esta imagen.
Focus: metáfora, consume, finitud, fugacidad, implicaciones, filosóficas, emocionales
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Describe un escenario donde una 'vela' sea el elemento central de una experiencia sensorial o emocionalmente cargada. Podrías evocar una atmósfera romántica, misteriosa, o de profunda introspección. Usa adjetivos y adverbios para enriquecer tu descripción.
Focus: escenario, central, sensorial, emocionalmente, cargada, romántica, misteriosa, introspección, adjetivos, adverbios
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Expone tu opinión sobre si, en la era de la iluminación eléctrica, la 'vela' mantiene alguna relevancia más allá de lo puramente estético o simbólico. Argumenta tus puntos de vista, ofreciendo ejemplos concretos que sustenten tu posición.
Focus: expone, opinión, era, iluminación, eléctrica, mantiene, relevancia, puramente, estético, simbólico, argumenta, puntos, vista, concretos, sustenten, posición
Tu as dit :
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/ 24 correct
Perfect score!
Exemple
Encendimos una vela por los que ya no están.
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