Spanish word

bahía

Pronunciation

IPA/baˈia/

Meaning

  • feminine nounbay

Example

Vimos la bahía desde el mirador.

We saw the bay from the lookout.

Illustration for bahía (bay)

More examples

Entramos en la bahía con la marea baja.

We entered the bay at low tide.

Core concept

Curving recess of sea along the shore that offers sheltered water.

Common phrases

  • entrar en la bahía

    enter the bay

  • salir de la bahía

    leave the bay

Similar words

playa: Flat, sandy or pebbly stretch of shore that attracts sunbathers and swimmers.
puerto: Coastal area equipped so ships can dock, load, and find shelter from open sea.
ría: Tidal inlet where a river enters the sea and fresh water mixes with salt.
cala: Small, often narrow cove that provides sheltered water through a limited entrance.

Definition in Spanish

Porción amplia de mar que se interna en la costa y queda relativamente resguardada del oleaje abierto.

Word origin

Via Old French baie from a Romance sea inlet word, the form bahía names a sheltered coastal bay in Spanish.

Usage tips

  • Frequently used with a place name ('la bahía de ...') and contrasted with golfo for larger bodies and ría for river estuaries.

Other meanings

  • covenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word