marino
/mah-REE-noh/
marine
Marino is an adjective meaning 'marine,' describing things related to the sea, animals, or plants.
marino(adjective)
marine
?related to the sea, animals, or plants
,sea-related
?general description
nautical
?related to ships and sailing
,maritime
?related to laws or commerce of the sea
📝 In Action
Estudiamos la vida marina en la universidad.
A2We studied marine life at the university.
El puerto tiene una gran actividad marina.
B1The port has great maritime activity.
Encontramos una estrella de mar en la playa.
A1We found a starfish on the beach. (Note: 'estrella de mar' is a common phrase, but 'marino' is used for general descriptions)
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'marino' must change its ending to match the noun it describes. For a feminine noun, use 'marina' (e.g., 'costa marina'). For plurals, add an 's' (marinos/marinas).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting Gender Change
Mistake: "La vida marino es hermosa."
Correction: La vida marina es hermosa. (Because 'vida' is feminine, the adjective must be 'marina'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Think 'Of the Sea'
When you use 'marino,' think of it as meaning 'belonging to the sea' or 'coming from the sea.' It’s the descriptive form of the noun 'mar' (sea).
As a noun, marino means 'sailor,' a person who works on a ship.
marino(noun)
sailor
?person who works on a ship
,marine
?military personnel, often part of an infantry force attached to a navy
seaman
?general term for a crew member
📝 In Action
El joven marino regresó a casa después de un largo viaje.
B1The young sailor returned home after a long trip.
Los marinos tienen un entrenamiento muy riguroso.
B2The marines have very rigorous training.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender for People
When 'marino' refers to a person, it usually means a man. If you need to refer to a female sailor or marine, you would use 'la marina'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Marinero vs. Marino
While both mean 'sailor,' 'marino' often suggests a professional or military connection, whereas 'marinero' is a more general term for someone who works on the sea.
When paired with azul (azul marino), marino refers to the color navy blue.
marino(adjective)
navy blue
?used only when paired with 'azul'
sea blue
?describing a deep blue color
📝 In Action
Compró un traje de color azul marino.
B1He bought a navy blue suit.
El color marino es muy elegante para el invierno.
B2Navy blue (the marine color) is very elegant for winter.
💡 Grammar Points
Used with 'Azul'
When describing the color 'navy blue,' 'marino' almost always follows 'azul' (blue): 'azul marino'. In this specific phrase, 'marino' acts like a modifier and usually stays in the masculine singular form, even if the noun is feminine or plural.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Color Agreement Error
Mistake: "Compré dos camisas azules marinas."
Correction: Compré dos camisas azul marino. (When describing the color, the compound phrase 'azul marino' often remains fixed, regardless of the number or gender of the shirts.)
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: marino
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'marino' as a person (a noun)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'marino' and 'marinero'?
'Marino' is the general adjective meaning 'marine' or 'sea-related.' When used as a noun, it often refers to military personnel (a marine). 'Marinero' is the standard, everyday noun for someone who works on a ship or boat (a sailor).
Does 'azul marino' change its ending if I describe plural clothes?
Generally, no. When 'marino' is part of the compound color description 'azul marino' (navy blue), it is treated as fixed and usually does not change to agree with the noun. You would say 'camisas azul marino' (navy blue shirts).