How to Say "mast" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “mast” is “palo” — use 'palo' when referring to the mast of a ship, often implying a simpler or more traditional sailing vessel..
English → Spanish
palo
PAH-loh/ˈpa.lo/
nounA1nautical
Use 'palo' when referring to the mast of a ship, often implying a simpler or more traditional sailing vessel.
Examples
El mástil principal del velero estaba hecho de madera robusta.
The main mast of the sailboat was made of sturdy wood.
El perro siempre trae un palo grande del parque.
The dog always brings a big stick from the park.
Necesitamos un palo largo para alcanzar esa rama.
We need a long pole to reach that branch.
Gender Reminder
Even though 'palo' ends in -o, remember it is a masculine noun ('el palo').
árbol
nounB2mechanical
Use 'árbol' specifically when referring to the mast of a vehicle's engine, such as the camshaft, not the mast of a ship.
Examples
El mecánico diagnosticó un problema con el árbol de transmisión.
The mechanic diagnosed a problem with the transmission shaft.
Ship Mast vs. Engine Part
The most common mistake is using 'árbol' for a ship's mast. Remember that 'palo' is used for a ship's mast, while 'árbol' refers to mechanical components like a camshaft or driveshaft.
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