huracán
/oo-ra-KAHN/
hurricane
Un huracán is a powerful tropical storm with strong winds and heavy rain.
huracán(noun)
hurricane
?A massive, swirling tropical storm
cyclone
?Used in different geographic regions for similar storms
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
This word is a 'boy-word' (masculine). Always use 'el' or 'un' with it, even though it describes a storm (la tormenta).
The Accent Mark
Notice the little tilt over the last 'a'. This tells you to put extra stress on the final syllable when you say it: oo-ra-KAHN.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing with any storm
Mistake: "Using 'huracán' for a simple rainstorm."
Correction: Only use 'huracán' for specific, massive tropical systems. For a normal storm, use 'tormenta'.
⭐ Usage Tips
News Context
You will often hear this paired with 'azotar' (to lash or hit), as in 'El huracán azota la isla'.
A very energetic person can be described as a huracán, like a whirlwind of activity.
huracán(noun)
whirlwind
?Describing a very energetic or chaotic person
powerhouse
?A person with unstoppable energy
,force of nature
?Someone who changes everything they touch quickly
📝 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.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Kids
This is a very common and slightly funny way to describe a high-energy child who leaves a mess behind them.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: huracán
Question 1 of 2
Which indigenous group gave us the word 'huracán'?
📚 More Resources
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.