Spanish word

canoa

Pronunciation

IPA/kaˈnoa/

Meaning

  • feminine nouncanoe

Example

Vamos en canoa por el río.

We are going by canoe along the river.

Illustration for canoa (canoe)

More examples

Alquilamos una canoa para explorar la laguna.

We rented a canoe to explore the lagoon.

Core concept

Small shallow boat for paddling or rowing on calm water.

Common phrases

  • ir en canoa

    go by canoe

  • alquilar una canoa

    rent a canoe

  • remar en canoa

    paddle a canoe

Similar words

bote: Small simple open boat for short trips or practical tasks.
barca: Wider small boat for carrying people or cargo in shallow waters.
kayak: Narrow one- or two-person seated boat paddled with a double-bladed paddle.
piragua: Long narrow small boat paddled on rivers and lakes, often for transport.

Definition in Spanish

Pequeña embarcación de casco estrecho que se propulsa con pala o remo, empleada para el transporte o la recreación en aguas calmas.

Word origin

Canoa derives from a Taíno term adopted into Spanish to refer to the light paddle- or oar-powered small boats common in the Caribbean and nearby regions.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Spanish canoa usually refers to recreational or transport craft on rivers and lakes, while larger or motorized vessels are called barco or lancha.

Related words

  • canotajecanoeingnoun
  • canoístacanoeistnoun

Word lists with this word