Spanish Conversation · Level 92
60 words
Spanish word
huracán
Pronunciation
IPA/uɾaˈkan/
Meaning
- masculine nounhurricane
Example
El huracán se acerca a la costa.
The hurricane is approaching the coast.
More examples
La alerta de huracán obligó a cerrar las escuelas.
The hurricane warning forced schools to close.
Core concept
Rotating tropical cyclone that strikes coasts with very strong winds and torrential rain.
Common phrases
alerta de huracán
hurricane warning
categoría del huracán
hurricane category
Similar words
ciclón: Rotating low-pressure area whose winds circle a center and can influence large regions.
tifón: Tropical cyclone in the western Pacific producing powerful winds and extended heavy rainfall.
tormenta: Severe weather system bringing heavy rain, lightning, and gusts that cause local disruption.
tornado: Very narrow rotating column of air that hits the ground and causes severe local destruction.
Definition in Spanish
Ciclón tropical muy intenso que se forma sobre aguas cálidas, con vientos sostenidos muy fuertes y lluvias torrenciales.
Word origin
From Taíno hurakán, the indigenous Caribbean word for a violent storm, adopted into Spanish during the colonial era.
Usage tips
- The noun is masculine (el huracán) and news reports give intensity by categoría or by sustained wind speed rather than by vague adjectives.
Opposites
- calmacalmnoun
- anticiclónanticyclonenoun