huracán
“huracán” means “hurricane” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
hurricane
Also: cyclone
📝 In Action
El huracán se acerca a la costa de México.
A2The hurricane is approaching the coast of Mexico.
Durante el huracán, el viento era muy fuerte.
A2During the hurricane, the wind was very strong.
whirlwind
Also: powerhouse, force of nature
📝 In Action
Mi sobrino es un huracán; no deja de correr por toda la casa.
B1My nephew is a whirlwind; he doesn't stop running all over the house.
Su llegada a la empresa fue un huracán que lo cambió todo.
B2Her arrival at the company was a whirlwind that changed everything.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: huracán
Question 1 of 2
Which indigenous group gave us the word 'huracán'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
This word comes from the Taíno people (Indigenous people of the Caribbean). 'Hurakán' was their god of storms and wind. The Spanish adopted it when they arrived in the Americas.
First recorded: 16th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between 'ciclón' and 'huracán'?
Technically, they are the same type of storm. We use 'huracán' for storms in the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, while 'ciclón' is often used more generally or in the Indian Ocean.
Why does it have an accent on the 'a'?
In Spanish, words ending in 'n' that are stressed on the very last syllable always need an accent mark to show you where the voice should jump.