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How to Say "seaman" in Spanish

English → Spanish

marinero

/mah-ree-NEH-roh//maɾiˈneɾo/

nounA2general
Use 'marinero' when referring to a general crew member on a ship, especially one who works in the maritime industry, or an experienced sailor.
A cartoon illustration of a smiling sailor wearing a white cap and blue uniform, holding a coiled piece of rope over his shoulder.

Examples

El viejo marinero contó historias increíbles sobre el océano.

The old sailor told incredible stories about the ocean.

Todos los marineros estaban listos para zarpar al amanecer.

All the sailors were ready to set sail at dawn.

Gender Match

To talk about a female sailor, you change the ending: 'la marinera'. This is a common pattern for job titles ending in -o.

Confusing Jobs

Mistake: “Using 'navegante' when you mean a general crew member.”

Correction: 'Navegante' is often a specialist (like a navigator), while 'marinero' is the general term for a deckhand or crew member.

marino

mah-REE-noh/maˈɾino/

nounB1general
Use 'marino' as a broader term for a crew member, or specifically for a member of the navy (marine). It's often used for younger or less experienced sailors.
A cheerful person dressed as a traditional sailor, wearing a white hat and blue striped shirt, standing on a wooden boat deck.

Examples

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

The young sailor returned home after a long trip.

Los marinos tienen un entrenamiento muy riguroso.

The marines have very rigorous training.

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'.

Marinero vs. Marino

The most common mistake is using 'marino' when 'marinero' is more appropriate for a general sailor or crew member. Remember that 'marino' also specifically means 'marine' (military) and can sound a bit more formal or refer to someone in the navy.

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