onda
wave
Reviewed by: David WestfallCofounder
A ripple that travels through something
Encoding Strategies:
linguistic
visual
undulate
to move in waves
+
-a
noun suffix
Onda means wave and is related to the English word undulate0, which is to move in waves.
onda
wave, ripple
Refers to a physical wave (e.g. water, sound, light).
Una rana saltó al estanque y las ondas llegaron hasta la orillaA frog jumped into the pond and the waves reached the shore
El viento hacía pequeñas ondas en la superficie del lagoThe wind made small ripples on the surface of the lake
wave, curl (in hair or cloth)
A wavy curve in something flexible, like hair or a curtain.
Su pelo cae en ondas suaves sobre los hombrosHer hair falls in soft waves over her shoulders
Se hizo ondas en el pelo para la bodaShe got curls in her hair for the wedding
vibe, feel (colloquial)
The feeling that a person, place, or situation gives off, like the "wave" someone is sending out.
Ese café tiene una onda muy relajadaThat cafe has a very relaxed vibe
No me gustó la onda de la entrevistaI didn't like the feel of the interview
thing, style (colloquial)
Someone's taste or personal style, meaning the particular wave they are on.
Las discotecas no son mi ondaClubs are not my thing
Ella tiene una onda muy artísticaShe has a very artistic style
¿qué onda?
what's up, what's going on (Mexico, Central America)
A casual greeting, and also a way to ask what is happening. You are asking what wave is going around at the moment.
¿Qué onda, Diego? Hace mucho que no te veíaWhat's up, Diego? I haven't seen you in ages
¿Qué onda con la fiesta del sábado?What's going on with Saturday's party?
buena onda
cool, nice (person or situation)
Describes a person who is friendly and generous, or a situation that turns out well. They are giving off a good wave.
Tu hermano es muy buena onda, me ayudó con la mudanzaYour brother is really cool, he helped me with the move
Qué buena onda que vinieras hasta acáHow nice that you came all the way over here
mala onda
mean, a bummer (person or situation)
Describes a person who is unkind or a situation that feels bad. They are giving off a bad wave.
No seas mala onda, préstame el coche un ratoDon't be mean, lend me the car for a while
Qué mala onda que se canceló el viajeWhat a bummer that the trip got canceled