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"Aliento" is a noun which is often translated as "breath", and "hálito" is a noun which is also often translated as "breath". Learn more about the difference between "aliento" and "hálito" below.
el aliento(
ah
-
lyehn
-
toh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. breath
La carrera hacia la parada de autobús me dejó sin aliento.The run to the bus stop left me out of breath.
2. (exhalation)
3. (figurative) (confidence)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. encouragement
El entrenador nos dio unas palabras de aliento antes del partido.The coach gave us some words of encouragement before the game.
b. strength
El ejemplo de Malala les da a muchas chicas el aliento para luchar por sus derechos.Malala's example gives many girls the strength to fight for their rights.
c. courage
La nieve y el viento no nos quitaron el aliento y seguimos caminando toda la noche.The snow and the wind didn't break our courage and we kept on walking all night.
4. (formal) (tone)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. flavor (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
La última novela de García Márquez narra una historia con aliento romántico.Garcia Marquez's last novel tells a story with a romantic flavor.
b. flavour (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Julieta cantó una canción muy bonita con aliento a nana.Julieta sang a lovely song with a lullaby flavour.
el hálito(
ah
-
lee
-
toh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (inhalation)
a. breath
José Martí luchó por la independencia de Cuba hasta su último hálito.Jose Marti fought for Cuban independence until his last breath.
El gélido hálito del hombre hizo pensar a todos que era un fantasma.The man's frozen breath made everyone think he was a ghost.
2. (literary) (gentle breeze)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
a. zephyr
El hálito de la mañana despejó la mente del escritor.The morning zephyr cleared the writer's mind.
