muelle

MWEH-yeh

nounmA2

dock?structure for boats,pier?structure extending into water

Also:quay?stone or metal structure alongside water,wharf?loading/unloading area

📝 In Action

El ferry sale del muelle número tres.

The ferry leaves from dock number three.

Vimos a los pescadores descargar su captura en el muelle.

We saw the fishermen unloading their catch at the pier.

Hay que caminar hasta el final del muelle para ver el faro.

You have to walk to the end of the quay to see the lighthouse.

Word Connections

Synonyms

embarcadero (jetty)
puerto (port)

Common Collocations

atracar en el muelle – to dock at the pier
muelle de carga – loading dock

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Reminder

Even though 'muelle' ends in '-e', it is a masculine noun, so you always use 'el' (el muelle) or 'un' (un muelle).

⭐ Usage Tips

Visualize the Context

When you hear 'muelle' in this context, imagine a large, fixed structure built out from the land over the water, where ships can stop.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: muelle

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'muelle' to describe a location?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

muellaje(docking fee) - noun

muellecito(small pier/spring) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if 'muelle' means a dock or a spring?

You rely entirely on the context! If you are talking about cars, furniture, or small mechanisms (like a pen), it means 'spring.' If you are talking about boats, water, or the coast, it means 'dock' or 'pier.'

Is 'muelle' related to the season 'spring' (primavera)?

No. This is a common confusion because English uses one word for both. In Spanish, 'muelle' is the dock or the mechanical spring, but the season is always 'primavera.'