A large, sleek blue and silver tuna fish swimming in the deep blue ocean.

atún

ah-TOON

nounmA1

tuna?refers to both the living fish and the food product

📝 In Action

Prefiero el atún en lata para la ensalada.

I prefer canned tuna for the salad.

El atún rojo es muy caro en este restaurante.

The bluefin tuna is very expensive in this restaurant.

¿Quieres un bocadillo de atún?

Do you want a tuna sandwich?

Word Connections

Common Collocations

atún en lata – canned tuna
ensalada de atún – tuna salad
atún claro – light tuna

Idioms & Expressions

ser un atún – to be a bit clueless or slow to understand (used in some Latin American regions)

💡 Grammar Points

Always Masculine

Even if you are talking about a female fish, the word remains 'el atún.' To specify the sex, you would say 'el atún hembra.'

❌ Common Pitfalls

The Vanishing Accent

Mistake: "atúnes"

Correction: atunes

⭐ Usage Tips

Canned vs Fresh

In Spanish-speaking countries, 'atún en lata' (canned tuna) is a staple pantry item. If you want fresh tuna steak, look for 'filete de atún' or 'lomo de atún' at the market.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: atún

Question 1 of 1

What happens to the accent mark when you make 'atún' plural?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

túnido(tuna-like fish) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'atún' a common ingredient in Spanish tapas?

Yes! You will often find it in 'empanadillas' (small savory pastries), 'ensaladilla rusa' (potato salad), or served as 'mojama' (salt-cured tuna fillet).

Does the word change gender if the fish is female?

No, it is a fixed masculine noun. You always say 'el atún' regardless of the actual sex of the fish.