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How to Say "missile" in Spanish

English → Spanish

misil

/mee-SEEL//miˈsil/

nounB1military weapon
Use 'misil' when referring to a self-propelled, guided weapon, often with a military context.
A sleek, metallic missile flying through the air with a trail of white smoke behind it against a clear blue sky.

Examples

El barco lanzó un misil de prueba al océano.

The ship launched a test missile into the ocean.

El sistema de defensa puede detectar un misil a gran distancia.

The defense system can detect a missile from a long distance.

Making it Plural

Since this word ends in a consonant (l), you add '-es' to make it plural: 'los misiles'.

Misil vs. Cohete

Mistake: “Using 'misil' for a space rocket.”

Correction: Use 'cohete' for space exploration or fireworks. 'Misil' is specifically used for weapons.

cohete

/ko-E-te//koˈete/

nounB1military weapon
Use 'cohete' for a broader term that can include rockets (like space rockets) or unguided projectiles, though it can also refer to military weapons.
A stylized red and white space rocket launching upward from a grassy field, emitting bright orange and yellow flames from its base.

Examples

El cohete tardó tres días en llegar a la órbita de Marte.

The rocket took three days to reach Mars' orbit.

La agencia espacial está diseñando un cohete más potente.

The space agency is designing a more powerful rocket.

Masculine Noun Rule

Even though 'cohete' ends in 'e', it is always a masculine noun, so you must use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) before it.

Misil vs. Cohete

The most common mistake is using 'cohete' when you specifically mean a guided, self-propelled weapon. Reserve 'misil' for this precise meaning; 'cohete' is a more general term that can also refer to space rockets.

Related Translations

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