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How to Say "marine" in Spanish

English → Spanish

marino

mah-REE-noh/maˈɾino/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'marino' as an adjective when referring to things related to the sea, like plants, animals, or oceanographic studies.
A bright orange and blue tropical fish swimming next to vibrant red and purple coral underwater.

Examples

Estudiamos la vida marina en la universidad.

We studied marine life at the university.

El puerto tiene una gran actividad marina.

The port has great maritime activity.

Encontramos una estrella de mar en la playa.

We found a starfish on the beach. (Note: 'estrella de mar' is a common phrase, but 'marino' is used for general descriptions)

El joven marino regresó a casa después de un largo viaje.

The young sailor returned home after a long trip.

Adjective Agreement

Like most Spanish adjectives, 'marino' must change its ending to match the noun it describes. For a feminine noun, use 'marina' (e.g., 'costa marina'). For plurals, add an 's' (marinos/marinas).

Gender for People

When 'marino' refers to a person, it usually means a man. If you need to refer to a female sailor or marine, you would use 'la marina'.

Forgetting Gender Change

Mistake:La vida marino es hermosa.

Correction: La vida marina es hermosa. (Because 'vida' is feminine, the adjective must be 'marina'.)

marino

mah-REE-noh/maˈɾino/

nounB1general
Use 'marino' as a noun to refer to a sailor or a member of a naval infantry force.
A bright orange and blue tropical fish swimming next to vibrant red and purple coral underwater.

Examples

El joven marino regresó a casa después de un largo viaje.

The young sailor returned home after a long trip.

Estudiamos la vida marina en la universidad.

We studied marine life at the university.

El puerto tiene una gran actividad marina.

The port has great maritime activity.

Encontramos una estrella de mar en la playa.

We found a starfish on the beach. (Note: 'estrella de mar' is a common phrase, but 'marino' is used for general descriptions)

Adjective Agreement

Like most Spanish adjectives, 'marino' must change its ending to match the noun it describes. For a feminine noun, use 'marina' (e.g., 'costa marina'). For plurals, add an 's' (marinos/marinas).

Gender for People

When 'marino' refers to a person, it usually means a man. If you need to refer to a female sailor or marine, you would use 'la marina'.

Forgetting Gender Change

Mistake:La vida marino es hermosa.

Correction: La vida marina es hermosa. (Because 'vida' is feminine, the adjective must be 'marina'.)

submarino

/soob-mah-REE-noh//suβmaˈɾino/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'submarino' as an adjective specifically when referring to something located, operating, or existing beneath the surface of the sea.
A colorful clownfish swimming among vibrant green and pink coral on the ocean floor.

Examples

Necesitamos reparar el cable submarino que conecta los continentes.

We need to repair the underwater cable that connects the continents.

La flora submarina es increíblemente diversa en esta zona.

The submarine (underwater) flora is incredibly diverse in this area.

Gender Agreement

As an adjective, 'submarino' must match the thing it describes. Use 'submarina' for feminine nouns (e.g., 'la cueva submarina').

Forgetting Agreement

Mistake:La vida submarino.

Correction: La vida submarina. The adjective must end in '-a' because 'vida' is feminine.

Marino vs. Submarino

Learners often use 'submarino' when 'marino' (adjective) would be more appropriate. Remember that 'submarino' specifically means 'underwater,' while 'marino' is the general term for 'sea-related'.

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