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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).
2. (nautical)
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.
3. (mining)
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.
c. rhythm
El baterista tenía problemas para mantener el compás.The drummer had a hard time keeping the rhythm.
d. meter (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
La canción que compuse utiliza un compás compuesto.The song I wrote uses a compound meter.
e. metre (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Esta rapsodia contemporánea para piano tiene un compás irregular.This contemporary rhapsody for piano has an irregular metre.
a. measure (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Me encantan los dos primeros compases de esta sonata.I love the first two measures of this sonata.
el ritmo(
rreet
-
moh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (cadence)
2. (speed)
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.
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.