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"Lateral" is an adjective which is often translated as "side", and "superior" is an adjective which is often translated as "superior". Learn more about the difference between "lateral" and "superior" below.
lateral, el lateral(
lah
-
teh
-
rahl
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. side
El piso tiene una entrada principal y otra lateral junto al ascensor.The apartment has a main entrance and a side entrance next to the elevator.
b. lateral (technical)
A word or phrase that is only used by experts, professionals, or academics in a particular field (e.g., exposition).
El mouse tiene un rodillo que detecta el movimiento lateral y otro para el movimiento de avance y retroceso.The mouse has one roller that detects lateral movement and another for forward and backward movement.
2. (genealogy)
a. indirect
En palacio se recurrió a la sucesión lateral del rey porque no había tenido descendencia.Because the king had no heirs, the palace invoked the system of indirect succession.
a. lateral
Al pronunciar una consonante lateral como "ele", el aire sale por los lados de la boca.When pronouncing a lateral consonant like the letter "l", the air comes out from the sides of the mouth.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
4. (sports)
a. winger (in rugby or ice hockey)
El entrenador cambió al lateral derecho porque se lesionó al hacer de defensa.The coach substituted the right winger because he got injured while defending.
b. wing (in rugby or ice hockey)
El lateral defendió el área pateando el balón muy lejos.The wing defended the goal area, kicking the ball way down the field.
c. wide midfielder (in soccer) (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El lateral Crosby tuvo una buena actuación ayer: anotó un gol de penal en el último minuto.The wide midfielder Crosby had a good game yesterday, scoring a penalty goal in the last minute.
d. outside midfielder (in soccer) (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Johnson juega con igual facilidad como lateral o como delantero.Johnson can play equally well as an outside midfielder or a striker.
e. outside linebacker (in American football) (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Como soy bueno en ataque y defensa juego de lateral.Since I'm good in attack and defense, I play outside linebacker.
a. side
Hay otra entrada en el lateral del edificio.There's another entrance at the side of the building.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
En las laterales de la avenida 9 de Julio solo se permite la circulación de automóviles.Cars are the only vehicles allowed on the roadways of the Avenida 9 de Julio.
Los laterales de la avenida principal estaban flanqueados por árboles.The roadways each side of the median on the main avenue were flanked by trees.
superior(
soo
-
peh
-
ryohr
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (better)
a. superior
Nuestra carne es superior porque nuestras vacas no son criadas en lotes de engorde.Our meat is superior because our cows are not raised in feedlots.
a. excellent
Este vino está bien, pero el que trajiste es superior.This wine is okay, but the one you brought is excellent.
3. (above)
4. (religious)
a. superior
Mi hermano es el monje superior del monasterio local.My brother is the superior monk of the local monastery.
a. superior
Aunque eran superiores en número, las tropas británicas fueron derrotadas.Although they were superior in number, the British troops were defeated.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
7. (boss)
a. superior
Mi superior me hace ir a trabajar incluso cuando estoy enfermo.My superior makes me go to work even when I'm sick.
8. (religious)
a. superior
El superior de la abadía está a cargo del proyecto de construcción del monasterio.The superior of the abbey is in charge of the monastery building project.
b. mother superior (feminine)
La superiora dijo que iba a rezar por mi esposo enfermo.The mother superior said she will pray for my sick husband.
