gaviota

gah-vee-OH-tah/ɡaˈβjota/

“gaviota” means “seagull” in Spanish (a common seabird with white and gray feathers).

seagull

Also: gull

NounfA2

Chile

A white and gray seagull standing on a wooden pier near the ocean.

📝 In Action

Hay una gaviota en la arena.

There is a seagull on the sand.

Las gaviotas vuelan sobre el barco buscando comida.

The seagulls are flying over the boat looking for food.

Escuchamos el grito de las gaviotas desde nuestra habitación.

We heard the cry of the seagulls from our room.

Word Connections

Synonyms

ave marina (seabird)

Common Collocations

gaviota de plata – silver seagull (a famous award in Chile)
vuelo de gaviota – seagull flight
nido de gaviota – seagull nest

Idioms & Expressions

ser una gaviota – refers to someone who likes to travel or wander along the coast

Vocabulary Collections

Birds

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "gaviota" in Spanish:

gull→seagull→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: gaviota

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'the male seagull' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

gaviotín(tern / small gull) — Noun

gaviotal(a place full of seagulls) — Noun

🎵 Rhymes▼

pelota bota idiota nota

📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the Latin word 'gavia', which was the name for a specific type of seabird.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: gaivotaGalician: gaivota

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'gaviota' change to 'el' like 'el agua'?

No. Words only change 'la' to 'el' if they start with a stressed 'a' sound (like agua or águila). Since 'gaviota' starts with 'g', it stays 'la gaviota'.

What is a 'Gaviota de Plata'?

It is a famous silver trophy shaped like a seagull awarded to performers at the Viña del Mar music festival in Chile.

Can I use 'gaviota' for any white bird?

No, 'gaviota' is specifically for seagulls. For a general bird, use 'pájaro' or 'ave'.