tiburones
“tiburones” means “sharks” in Spanish (marine animals).
sharks
Also: loan sharks, predators
📝 In Action
Los tiburones nadan muy rápido en el mar.
A1Sharks swim very fast in the sea.
Hay diferentes especies de tiburones en el Caribe.
A2There are different species of sharks in the Caribbean.
En el mundo de los negocios, hay muchos tiburones que solo buscan dinero.
B2In the business world, there are many sharks who only look for money.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: tiburones
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'tiburones' figuratively (not referring to the animal)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word 'tiburón' entered Spanish relatively recently, likely around the 16th century. It is thought to have come from a fusion of Caribbean indigenous words (possibly Taíno) for the animal, combined with or influenced by early Spanish nautical terms. It was a new word for a formidable creature encountered in the New World.
First recorded: 16th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'tiburones' not have an accent mark, but 'tiburón' does?
Spanish spelling rules require 'tiburón' (ending in 'n') to have an accent mark because the stress naturally falls on the last syllable. When you add '-es' to make it plural ('tiburones'), the stress shifts back one syllable, making the word follow the standard stress pattern, so the written accent is no longer needed.
Is 'tiburones' the only word for sharks?
Yes, 'tiburones' is the standard, most common word. In some specific regions or for scientific purposes, you might hear other names for particular species, but 'tiburón' is the universal term.