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golfo

GOHL-foh/ˈɡolfo/

gulf

Also: bay
NounmA2
A vast blue body of water surrounded on three sides by green land.

📝 In Action

El golfo de México es muy extenso.

A2

The Gulf of Mexico is very large.

Muchos barcos pescan en el golfo.

B1

Many boats fish in the gulf.

Hay una tormenta formándose en el centro del golfo.

B2

There is a storm forming in the center of the gulf.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • bahía (bay)
  • seno (inlet)

Antonyms

  • cabo (cape (land sticking into water))

Common Collocations

  • corriente del golfo – gulf stream
  • golfo pérsico – Persian Gulf

rascal, scoundrel

Also: party animal, slacker
NounmB2informal
Spain
A messy-haired boy with a mischievous grin holding a half-eaten apple behind his back.

📝 In Action

No le creas nada, es un golfo.

B2

Don't believe him at all, he's a rascal.

Ese niño es un golfo, siempre está haciendo travesuras.

B2

That kid is a little scoundrel; he's always getting into mischief.

Nos pasamos la noche de fiesta como unos auténticos golfos.

C1

We spent the night partying like total wildcards.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • pícaro (rogue)
  • vago (lazy person)
  • sinvergüenza (shameless person)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • un golfo de mucho cuidado – a real piece of work/dangerous rascal
  • vida de golfo – a wild, lazy, or dishonest lifestyle

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "golfo" in Spanish:

party animal→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: golfo

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence describes a geographical feature?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
golfada(a dirty trick or a scoundrel's action) — Noun
golfillo(little rascal (affectionate)) — Noun
engolfarse(to get deeply involved or lost in something) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
adorfo
📚 Etymology▼

From the Greek word 'kolpos', which meant 'bosom' or 'fold'. It later referred to a bay in the sea. The 'scoundrel' meaning comes from the idea of 'vagabonds of the sea' or someone who has fallen into 'the deep' of social life.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: golfoEnglish: gulf

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'golfo' the same as 'bahía'?

Not exactly. A 'golfo' is typically much larger and deeper than a 'bahía' (bay). Think of a gulf as a massive sea area mostly surrounded by land.

Can I use 'golfo' to mean 'lazy'?

Yes, especially in Spain. It describes someone who avoids responsibilities to have fun or sleep in.

Is it a 'bad' word?

The geographical meaning is 100% neutral. The 'rascal' meaning is informal and can be a mild tease between friends or a serious insult depending on your tone and the country.