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puerto

PWEHR-toh/ˈpweɾto/

“puerto” means “port” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

port, harbor

Also: haven
NounmA1
A wide view of a calm blue harbor showing several large ships docked next to a row of colorful seaside buildings, illustrating a port.

📝 In Action

El crucero atracó en el puerto de Barcelona esta mañana.

A1

The cruise ship docked in the port of Barcelona this morning.

Necesitamos un buen puerto para protegernos de la tormenta.

A2

We need a good harbor to protect ourselves from the storm.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • muelle (dock, pier)
  • bahía (bay)

Common Collocations

  • puerto marítimo – seaport
  • puerto de escala – port of call
  • autoridad portuaria – port authority

mountain pass

Also: gap
NounmB1
Spain
A narrow, winding paved road cutting through a deep valley between two steep, rocky mountains, illustrating a mountain pass.

📝 In Action

La carretera sube hasta el puerto de montaña a 2000 metros.

B1

The road climbs up to the mountain pass at 2000 meters.

Tuvimos que cerrar el puerto por la nieve.

B2

We had to close the mountain pass because of the snow.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • paso (pass, step)
  • collado (mountain saddle)

Common Collocations

  • cruzar el puerto – to cross the pass
  • puerto nevado – snowy pass

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "puerto" in Spanish:

gap→harbor→haven→mountain pass→port→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: puerto

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'puerto' in the sense of a geographical passage, not a maritime location?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
portuario(port-related (adjective)) — Adjective
puerta(door, gate) — Noun
portón(large gate) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin word *portus*, which meant 'harbor,' 'haven,' or 'place of refuge.' This common root also gave us the English words 'port' and 'portal.'

First recorded: Pre-10th century (as Old Spanish 'puerto')

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: portoItalian: portoFrench: port

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'puerto' related to the verb 'portar' (to carry)?

Yes, they share the same deep Latin root *portare* (to carry or bring). A port or harbor is a place where goods are 'carried' and brought in or out, and a mountain pass is a route that 'carries' traffic across a high barrier.

How can I tell if someone means 'port' or 'mountain pass'?

Context is key! If they mention ships, docks, or the sea, it means 'port.' If they mention mountains, snow, cycling, or high altitude, it means 'mountain pass.' Often, they will clarify with 'puerto de montaña.'