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"Tread" is a noun which is often translated as "el paso", and "step" is a noun which is also often translated as "el paso". Learn more about the difference between "tread" and "step" below.
tread(
trehd
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
d. el modo de andar (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
He was a tall, gangly man with a somewhat clumsy tread.Era un hombre alto, larguirucho con un modo de andar algo torpe.
2. (grip)
a. la banda de rodadura (F) (tire)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
It's important to rotate your tires regularly so that you don't get uneven wear on the tread.Es importante que rotes los neumáticos regularmente para que la banda de rodadura no se desgaste de forma irregular.
b. el dibujo (M) (tire)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
These tires don't have much tread, so I don't think they'd be ideal for the winter.Estos neumáticos no tienen mucho dibujo, así que no creo que sean adecuados para el invierno.
b. el escalón (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I need to have some of the treads on our main staircase fixed.Necesito hacer reparar algunos escalones de nuestra escalera principal.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. pisar
The fauns leaped about, treading the grapes in the vat of grapes.Los faunos daban brincos y pisaban las uvas en el lagar.
b. andar por (in a place)
We imagined that few human feet had trodden the sands of that desert island.Nos imaginamos que pocos pies humanos habrían andado por las arenas de esa isla desierta.
c. hollar (literary)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
Not a soul had trodden the ground behind the sacred waterfall in thousands of years.Hacía miles de años que no hollaba ni un alma el suelo que se encontraba detrás de la catarata sagrada.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
5. (to walk)
a. pisar
The oaf trod on her tiny feet without even noticing.El torpe le pisó los pies diminutos sin darse cuenta.
7. (to act)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
We must tread lightly, for this is a very delicate situation.Tenemos que andar con pies de plomo porque esto es una situación muy delicada.
You're going to get in trouble if you don't tread carefully.Te vas a meter en problemas si no te andas con cuidado.
step(
stehp
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (movement)
2. (measure)
a. la medida (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
We have taken all necessary steps to ensure that the house is secure.Tomamos todas las medidas necesarias para asegurarnos de que la casa está segura.
3. (stair)
a. el escalón (M) (of a staircase)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Be careful, the steps are very steep.Tenga cuidado, los escalones son muy empinados.
b. el peldaño (M) (of a ladder)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I recommend that you don't use the top step of the ladder.Recomiendo que no utilices el peldaño más alto de la escalera.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Could you step onto the scale, please?Suba a la báscula, por favor.
I stepped out of the boat.Bajé del barco.
a. pisar
If you're not careful, you'll step in one of those puddles.Si no tienes cuidado, pisarás uno de esos charcos.
steps
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
a. las escaleras (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
My grandmother struggles to climb the church steps.A mi abuela le cuesta subir las escaleras de la iglesia.
b. la escalinata (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
There are some impressive marble steps going up to the palace doors.Hay una escalinata de mármol imponente que sube hasta la entrada del palacio.
c. las gradas (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
We went down the steps into the square and wandered around for a while.Bajamos las gradas hasta la plaza y paseamos un rato.
a. la escalera de tijera (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I need the steps to cut this hedge.Necesito la escalera de tijera para cortar este seto.
