bordo
/BOR-doh/
board
When referring to transportation, bordo means the side or deck of a ship or plane, often translated as 'board'.
bordo(noun)
board
?side or deck of a ship/plane
,side
?in reference to a vehicle
rim
?less common reference to an edge
📝 In Action
Todos los pasajeros están a bordo del avión.
A2All the passengers are on board the plane.
El capitán miró por encima del bordo del barco.
B1The captain looked over the side of the boat.
La policía revisó la documentación a bordo del vehículo.
B1The police checked the documentation inside the vehicle.
💡 Grammar Points
The fixed phrase 'a bordo'
When talking about being 'on' a vehicle (ship, plane, train), Spanish uses the fixed phrase 'a bordo' (on board). Even though 'a' usually means 'to,' here it acts like 'on' or 'at'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'en' instead of 'a'
Mistake: "Estamos en bordo del barco."
Correction: Estamos a bordo del barco. Always use 'a' with 'bordo' in this context.
⭐ Usage Tips
Maritime Context
You will hear 'bordo' most often when discussing travel, especially by sea or air. Think of it as the physical boundary or side of the vessel.
Bordo can also mean the boundary or side, such as the edge of an object.
📝 In Action
El carpintero lijó el bordo de la mesa para suavizarlo.
B2The carpenter sanded the edge of the table to smooth it.
Tuvimos que reforzar el bordo del pozo.
C1We had to reinforce the rim of the well.
⭐ Usage Tips
Distinction from 'Borde'
While 'bordo' and 'borde' both relate to 'edge,' 'borde' is far more common for general edges (like a cliff or paper). Reserve 'bordo' mostly for vehicles or in specialized texts.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: bordo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'bordo' in the context of travel?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'bordo' and 'borde'?
'Bordo' specifically refers to the side or deck of a vessel (ship, plane) or is used in the essential phrase 'a bordo' (on board). 'Borde' is the general word for 'edge' or 'border' (like the edge of a plate or a piece of paper).
Does 'bordo' have a feminine form?
No, 'bordo' is always a masculine noun, meaning you must use the masculine article 'el' (el bordo).