buque
“buque” means “ship” in Spanish (large sea-going vessel).
ship
Also: vessel, liner
📝 In Action
El buque de carga atraviesa el océano.
A2The cargo ship crosses the ocean.
Varios buques de guerra están anclados en el puerto.
B1Several warships are anchored in the port.
El Titanic fue el buque más famoso de su época.
B2The Titanic was the most famous vessel of its time.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: buque
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is most likely to be called a 'buque'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From Catalan 'buc' (meaning the hull of a ship), which came from a Germanic word meaning 'belly' or 'trunk'. It describes the massive body of a large ship.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'barco' and 'buque'?
Think of 'barco' as 'boat' (general term) and 'buque' as 'ship' or 'vessel' (large, formal, and specialized).
Can I use 'buque' for a cruise ship?
Yes, 'buque de pasajeros' or 'crucero' are common terms for large cruise liners.
Is 'buque' used in everyday conversation?
Not usually. People prefer 'barco' in daily life unless they are talking about something technical, historical, or military.