barco
“barco” means “ship” in Spanish (a large vessel for transport on water).
ship, boat
📝 In Action
El barco sale del puerto a las ocho.
A1The ship leaves the port at eight.
Compramos un barco de pesca pequeño.
A2We bought a small fishing boat.
El crucero es un barco de lujo muy grande.
B1The cruise ship is a very large luxury ship.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: barco
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'barco' most appropriately?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'barca', which also meant a small boat. It's a word that has been used around the Mediterranean for thousands of years in various forms to describe vessels for traveling on water.
First recorded: Around the 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'barco', 'buque', and 'bote'?
Think of them in terms of size. 'Bote' is the smallest, like a rowboat. 'Barco' is a general term for any boat or ship. 'Buque' specifically refers to a very large ship, often for cargo or military use. If you're not sure, 'barco' is almost always a safe choice.
How do I say 'to travel by boat'?
The most common way is 'viajar en barco'. For example, 'Fuimos a la isla en barco' (We went to the island by boat).