marina
/mah-REE-nah/
navy
The military force known as the 'navy' (la marina).
📝 In Action
El presidente visitó la base de la marina ayer.
B1The president visited the navy base yesterday.
Mi abuelo sirvió en la marina durante la guerra.
B2My grandfather served in the navy during the war.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
Even though it refers to a large organization, 'marina' is always a feminine noun and uses the article 'la'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context Clues
If you hear 'marina' used with words like 'soldado' (soldier) or 'base', it almost certainly refers to the military navy.
A harbor or boat dock is often referred to as a 'marina'.
📝 In Action
Dejamos el velero en la marina antes de ir a cenar.
A2We left the sailboat at the marina before going to dinner.
La marina está llena de yates de lujo.
B1The marina is full of luxury yachts.
⭐ Usage Tips
Visual Context
This meaning is often used interchangeably with the English word 'marina' and refers to the physical place where boats are tied up.
Something 'marine' (marina) is related to the sea.
📝 In Action
La contaminación afecta la vida marina.
B1Pollution affects marine life.
Hay muchas especies marinas en esta zona.
B2There are many marine species in this area.
💡 Grammar Points
Agreement
'Marina' is the feminine form of the adjective 'marino'. You must use 'marina' when describing a feminine noun, like 'la vida' (life) or 'la especie' (species).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gender Mismatch
Mistake: "La vida marino"
Correction: La vida marina. (Because 'vida' is feminine, the adjective must also be feminine.)
'Marina' can also refer to the color 'navy blue'.
📝 In Action
Prefiero la chaqueta en color marina.
A2I prefer the jacket in navy blue.
El uniforme es de un azul muy marina.
B1The uniform is a very navy blue.
💡 Grammar Points
Color Usage
When referring to the color, it is often used as part of the phrase 'azul marina' (marine blue) or simply 'color marina', and sometimes acts as an adjective that does not change form.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: marina
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'marina' to refer to a place where boats are kept?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'marina' and 'marino'?
'Marina' is the feminine form of the word. It is used as a feminine noun (the Navy, the port) or as an adjective describing a feminine noun (la vida marina). 'Marino' is the masculine form, used as an adjective describing masculine nouns (el mundo marino) or as a masculine noun (a sailor).
How do I know if 'marina' means the military or the port?
You need to look at the surrounding context. If it's related to boats, yachts, or tourism, it means 'port/marina'. If it's related to officers, bases, or national defense, it means 'the Navy'.