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"Compás" is a form of "compás", a noun which is often translated as "compass". "Ritmo" is a noun which is often translated as "rhythm". Learn more about the difference between "compás" and "ritmo" below.
el compás(
kohm
-
pahs
)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. compass
Utiliza el compás para hacer el círculo.Use the compass to draw the circle.
a. compass
El compás nos permitía determinar el rumbo del barco.The compass made it possible for us to determine the course of the ship.
a. compass
En minería, se puede utilizar un compás para guiar el rumbo de la excavación.In mining, a compass can be used to direct the course of the excavation.
a. time
El maestro marcaba el compás dando palmas.The teacher marked time by clapping.
b. beat
Es fácil perder el compás si no cuentas.It is easy to lose the beat if you don't count.
c. rhythm
El baterista tenía problemas para mantener el compás.The drummer had a hard time keeping the rhythm.
d. meter
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
La canción que compuse utiliza un compás compuesto.The song I wrote uses a compound meter.
e. metre
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
Esta rapsodia contemporánea para piano tiene un compás irregular.This contemporary rhapsody for piano has an irregular metre.
a. measure
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
Me encantan los dos primeros compases de esta sonata.I love the first two measures of this sonata.
b. bar
El primer compás es de dos por cuatro.The first bar is in two-four time.
a. time signature
¿Cuál es el compás de esta pieza?What's the time signature of this piece?
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el ritmo(
rreet
-
moh
)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. rhythm
La gente bailaba al ritmo de los tambores.The people danced to the rhythm of the drums.
b. beat
Me encanta el ritmo de la canción, pero la letra es terrible.I love the beat of the song, but the lyrics are terrible.
a. pace
Para ganar la carrera, hay que establecer un ritmo rápido y mantenerlo.To win the race, you must establish a brisk pace and sustain it.
b. rate
A este ritmo, nunca llegaremos a casa.At this rate, we'll never get home.
c. speed
El equipo está trabajando a buen ritmo.The team is working at a good speed.
a. rhythm
Según el ritmo usual de las estaciones, debería ser la primavera ya.According to the usual rhythm of the seasons, it should be spring by now.
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