Inklingo

How to Say "dive" in Spanish

English → Spanish

agujero

ah-goo-HEH-roha.ɣuˈxe.ɾo

nounC1informal
Use 'agujero' to describe a place, specifically a very run-down, unpleasant bar or establishment.
A dilapidated, gray shack with broken windows and overgrown weeds surrounding it, looking dismal and abandoned.

Examples

Este bar es un agujero, vámonos a otro sitio.

This bar is a dump/dive, let's go somewhere else.

Pasé dos semanas viviendo en un pequeño agujero sin internet.

I spent two weeks living in a little remote spot without internet.

Use of Articles

When used in this way, it usually takes 'un' or 'ese/aquel' (that/that distant one) to emphasize the negative feeling associated with the place.

clavado

klah-BAH-dohklaˈβaðo

nounA2general
Use 'clavado' when referring to the act of jumping or plunging headfirst into water, especially in a sports context.
A person mid-air in a graceful dive towards a clear blue swimming pool.

Examples

El atleta hizo un clavado perfecto desde la plataforma.

The athlete did a perfect dive from the platform.

Me da miedo echarme un clavado en la parte honda.

I'm afraid to take a dive in the deep end.

Vimos los clavados en las Olimpiadas.

We watched the diving at the Olympics.

Action Verbs with Clavado

Unlike English where you just 'dive', in Spanish you usually 'throw' (echar) or 'give' (dar) a dive.

Using 'hacer' too much

Mistake: “Yo hice un clavado.”

Correction: Say 'Me eché un clavado'. While 'hacer' is okay in sports contexts, 'echarse' is much more natural for jumping in a pool.

picado

pee-KAH-dohpiˈkaðo

nounB2general
Use 'picado' for a downward steep movement, often used in aviation or to describe a specific type of shot in swimming or filmmaking.
A view looking straight down from a high height at a small park bench on a grassy field.

Examples

El director usó un picado para que el personaje pareciera pequeño.

The director used a high-angle shot to make the character look small.

El avión inició un picado hacia la pista.

The plane started a steep dive toward the runway.

The 'In' Phrase

When talking about a dive, we often say 'en picado' (literally 'in chopped') to describe the downward motion.

Place vs. Action

Learners often confuse 'agujero' with 'clavado' or 'picado'. Remember that 'agujero' refers exclusively to a disreputable place, like a dive bar. 'Clavado' and 'picado' describe actions or movements, not locations.

Related Translations

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