Inklingo

How to Say "moon" in Spanish

English → Spanish

luna

/loo-nah//ˈluna/

NounA1General
Use 'luna' when referring to the Moon as the celestial body visible in Earth's night sky, or any natural satellite of a planet in a general context.
A large, brightly glowing full moon visible in a dark night sky, surrounded by distant stars.

Examples

La luna está llena esta noche.

The moon is full tonight.

La luna está muy brillante esta noche.

The moon is very bright tonight.

Anoche fuimos a la playa a la luz de la luna.

Last night we went to the beach in the moonlight.

El primer hombre en la luna fue Neil Armstrong.

The first man on the moon was Neil Armstrong.

Always a 'La' Word

In Spanish, all things are either 'el' words or 'la' words. 'Luna' is always a 'la' word. So, you always say 'la luna' (the moon) or 'una luna' (a moon).

Using 'El' Instead of 'La'

Mistake: “Vi el luna anoche.”

Correction: Vi la luna anoche. Remember that 'luna' is a 'la' word because it ends in '-a'.

luna

/loo-nah//ˈluna/

NounB2Scientific
Use 'luna' when discussing any natural satellite orbiting a planet, particularly in astronomical contexts when referring to moons other than Earth's.
A large, brightly glowing full moon visible in a dark night sky, surrounded by distant stars.

Examples

Titán es una luna de Saturno.

Titan is a moon of Saturn.

La luna está muy brillante esta noche.

The moon is very bright tonight.

Anoche fuimos a la playa a la luz de la luna.

Last night we went to the beach in the moonlight.

El primer hombre en la luna fue Neil Armstrong.

The first man on the moon was Neil Armstrong.

Always a 'La' Word

In Spanish, all things are either 'el' words or 'la' words. 'Luna' is always a 'la' word. So, you always say 'la luna' (the moon) or 'una luna' (a moon).

Using 'El' Instead of 'La'

Mistake: “Vi el luna anoche.”

Correction: Vi la luna anoche. Remember that 'luna' is a 'la' word because it ends in '-a'.

satélite

NounA2General/Scientific
Use 'satélite' specifically when referring to a natural satellite, often in a more formal or scientific context, and sometimes capitalized as 'La Luna' when specifically meaning Earth's Moon.

Examples

La Luna es el único satélite natural de la Tierra.

The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite.

Luna vs. Satélite

Learners often confuse 'luna' and 'satélite'. Remember that 'luna' is the direct translation for 'moon' in most everyday situations. Use 'satélite' when you want to emphasize the 'natural satellite' aspect, especially in scientific or formal discussions.

Related Translations

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