Spanish Conversation · Level 53
75 words
Spanish word
foca
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈfoka/
Meaning
- feminine nounseal
Example
La foca nada cerca de la costa.
The seal is swimming near the coast.
More examples
Vimos una foca marina en las rocas cuando bajó la marea.
We saw a marine seal on the rocks when the tide went out.
Core concept
Short-muzzled marine mammal with flippers that hauls out on beaches and rocks.
Common phrases
foca marina
marine seal
colonia de focas
colony of seals
cría de foca
seal pup
Similar words
león marino: Large marine mammal with visible external ears that barks and props itself on its flippers.
lobo marino: Large marine mammal that walks well on rocky shores and swims powerfully along the coast.
morsa: Very large cold-water marine mammal with long tusks that lives in groups and hauls out on ice.
delfín: Highly social, intelligent marine mammal that swims in pods and sometimes approaches people.
Definition in Spanish
Mamífero marino que alterna entre nadar en el mar y descansar en la costa, con aletas adaptadas al nado y hocico corto.
Word origin
The Spanish foca comes from Greek phokē via Latin phoca, a root that is preserved in the scientific genus name Phoca.
Usage tips
- The noun foca is feminine (la foca); sea lions are usually called lobo marino or león marino and have visible external ears and can push themselves up on their flippers.