Plegable

Plegable is an adjective in Spanish that describes objects designed to be folded or collapsed for storage or transport. A product described as plegable incorporates a mechanism—such as hinges or joints—that allows its parts to reduce their volume when not in use. The term is widely applied across consumer goods, travel gear, and architectural accessories, and it also appears in descriptions of devices with folding displays.

Etymology and usage notes: plegable derives from plegar, the Spanish verb meaning to fold, with the suffix -able. It is used in standard Spanish across different dialects to indicate adaptability through folding. The corresponding noun form is plegabilidad, referring to the property of being foldable.

Common applications: furniture such as mesas plegables (folding tables) and sillas plegables (folding chairs) is designed to conserve space. Travel and outdoor gear frequently employ folding designs, including maletas plegables (folding suitcases), tiendas plegables (folding tents), and mochilas plegables (foldable backpacks). Maps, banners, and display panels are also often described as plegables. Baby strollers, tool carts, and portable workbenches frequently use foldable configurations to simplify transport.

Technology and design: in electronics and modern devices, plegable describes products with flexible or hinge-based screens, such as teléfonos plegables (foldable phones) and tablets plegables. Folding mechanisms require robust hinges, materials capable of repeated flexing, and reliable locking systems to maintain stiffness in use. Durability, weight, and price are common considerations in folding designs.

See also: plegado, plegable vs. desplegable.