encallado
/enkaˈʝado/
The English word 'aground' translates to Spanish as encallado.
encallado is used to describe something resting on the bottom. It is often used in nautical contexts.
Meaning: resting on the bottom (adv)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use encallada if the subject is a feminine noun, and use encallados or encalladas if the subject is plural. The verb form of the adjective is encallar, which means 'to run aground'.
How do you pronounce it?
/enkaˈʝado/
Did you know?
- If you use encallar to describe a person's progress in a task, it implies they have hit an immovable obstacle that prevents any further movement.
- Spanish speakers often use encallar to describe a car that has become stuck in deep sand or mud, even though it is not a boat.
- In certain dialects, the verb encallar can be used to describe a piece of clothing that gets snagged or stuck on a nail or a sharp edge.
Examples in context
- El barco quedó encallado en un banco de arena.The ship ran aground on a sandbank.
- El barco quedó encallado en la arena.The ship ran aground on the sand.
- Vimos un viejo carguero encallado cerca de la costa.We saw an old freighter aground near the coast.
- El bote parece estar encallado en la zona de marea.The boat seems to be aground in the tidal zone.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are walking along the beach after a storm.
- Javier¡Mira allá! Un barco está encallado en las rocas.Look over there! A ship is aground on the rocks.
- LucíaEs verdad, Javier, parece que sufrió un accidente.It's true, Javier, it looks like it had an accident.
- JavierEspero que no haya heridos en ese barco.I hope there are no injuries on that ship.
- LucíaDeberíamos llamar a las autoridades para ayudar.We should call the authorities to help.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry encallado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
