Inklingo

How to Say "flood" in Spanish

English → Spanish

avenida

ah-veh-NEE-dah/aβeˈniða/

nounC1general
Use 'avenida' when referring to a literal inundation of water, often caused by natural events like overflowing rivers or heavy rain.
A dynamic illustration showing a sudden, forceful wave of blue water surging forward rapidly.

Examples

Tras el deshielo, hubo una avenida de agua que arrasó el valle.

After the thaw, there was a rush of water that swept through the valley.

invasión

nounB2general
Choose 'invasión' when describing a sudden, overwhelming quantity of something undesirable or problematic, like insects or even excessive paperwork.

Examples

Tuvimos una invasión de mosquitos en la casa de campo este verano.

We had an invasion of mosquitoes at the country house this summer.

marea

mah-REH-ah/maˈɾea/

nounB2general
Use 'marea' to describe a large, flowing movement or surge, typically of people or emotions, like a crowd moving towards a stadium or a wave of excitement.
A thick, powerful ocean wave rushing aggressively and flowing over coastal rocks, demonstrating a surge.

Examples

Una marea de aficionados se dirigió al estadio después de la victoria.

A wave/flood of fans headed to the stadium after the victory.

Sintió una marea de tristeza al recordar su infancia.

She felt a surge of sadness remembering her childhood.

Figurative Use

When used figuratively, 'marea' emphasizes the overwhelming, often unstoppable nature of the group or emotion, much like a real tide.

Literal vs. Figurative 'Flood'

Learners often confuse 'avenida' and 'marea'. Remember that 'avenida' is almost exclusively for literal water floods, while 'marea' is for figurative surges of people or feelings. 'Invasión' is for overwhelming numbers of distinct things, usually negative.

Related Translations

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