This is the 3908th most frequent Spanish word.
vela
"Vela" in Spanish can mean "candle," "sail," or "vigil," depending on the context.
'En vela' refers to being awake or sleepless, often due to anticipation or concern.
Pasamos la noche en vela esperando noticias.
We spent the night awake waiting for news.
Here, 'vela' refers to a candle, typically used for lighting or decoration.
Encendí una vela para iluminar la habitación.
I lit a candle to illuminate the room.
In this context, 'velas' means sails of a ship, which harness the wind to propel the vessel.