bucle
nounCEFR B2
What does “bucle” mean in English?
loop — a repetitive sequence or cycle; also a curved shape
loop — a repetitive sequence or cycle; also a curved shape (bucle vicioso; bucle infinito)
Example sentences
La empresa quedó atrapada en un bucle de deuda del que no lograba salir sin inversión externa.
The company became trapped in a debt loop from which it could not escape without external investment.
El software entró en un bucle infinito y hubo que reiniciar el sistema manualmente.
The software entered an infinite loop and the system had to be manually restarted.
Muchos jóvenes caen en un bucle de ansiedad y evitación que es difícil de romper sin ayuda.
Many young people fall into a cycle of anxiety and avoidance that is difficult to break without help.
How to use it
El bucle (noun, masculine) means 'loop' — a repeated cycle or circular sequence. In programming it refers to a code loop (bucle infinito/for/while); in everyday/figurative use it means a self-reinforcing cycle (bucle de retroalimentación; quedar atrapado en un bucle). Key collocations: bucle de retroalimentación; bucle vicioso; quedar atrapado en un bucle; bucle infinito. Distinguish from ciclo (cycle — broader) and círculo vicioso (vicious circle). Note: bucle vicioso is less standard than círculo vicioso.
Common mistake
Bucle (loop/cycle) ≠ ciclo (cycle — broader, often natural). Círculo vicioso is more common than bucle vicioso for 'vicious cycle'. Quedar/caer atrapado en un bucle is the standard figurative collocation. In technology: bucle for/while/infinito are standard terms. Bucle can also mean a ring of hair (curl), but this is less common at B2.