ártico
/ˈaɾtiko/
The English word arctic can be translated into Spanish as ártico.
The term describes things that are cold, snowy or possess properties of extreme winter associated with the Arctic region. It can function as an adjective or, when used as a noun referring to the geographic region, as el Ártico.
Meaning: cold, snowy, or having other properties of extreme winter associated with the Arctic (adj)
Which one should you use?
While ártico is the standard translation for arctic, Zona Ártica is a more formal way to express the concept of the arctic zone.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, the form must agree with the gender and number of the noun it describes: use ártica for feminine singular nouns, árticos for masculine plural nouns and árticas for feminine plural nouns. When referring to the specific geographic region as a noun, use the masculine form with the definite article: el Ártico.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaɾtiko/
Did you know?
- The word ártico is rooted in the Greek word for 'bear', referring to the constellation Ursa Major which points the way north.
- Spanish speakers use the phrase frío polar to describe an extremely cold day, even if the weather is not literally caused by an ártico wind.
- While ártico describes the north, the Spanish word for the south, antártico, is used both for the region and as an adjective for anything from the south.
Examples in context
- ¿Viven pingüinos en el Ártico?Do penguins live in the Arctic?This sentence uses ártico to ask a question about penguins living in the Arctic.Tatoeba #2110405 by marcelostockle, translation #2703247 by catcher
- No hay pingüinos en el Ártico.In the Arctic there are no penguins.This sentence uses ártico to state that there are no penguins in the Arctic.Tatoeba #2110554 by marcelostockle, translation #2110605 by shekitten
- Los osos polares viven en el Ártico.Polar bears live in the Arctic.This sentence uses ártico to mention where polar bears live.Tatoeba #1239343 by hayastan, translation #52486 by Swift
- El cambio climático está afectando seriamente al ecosistema ártico.Climate change is seriously impacting the Arctic ecosystem.
- En la Zona Ártica, las temperaturas pueden caer por debajo de los -40 grados Celsius.In the Arctic Zone, temperatures can drop below -40 degrees Celsius.
- No me gustaría vivir en una región tan fría y ártica.I wouldn't like to live in such a cold and arctic region.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are discussing the weather in a northern city.
- ElenaHace un frío ártico hoy, ¿verdad?It's arctic cold today, isn't it?
- JavierSí, Elena, necesito un abrigo más grueso.Yes, Elena, I need a thicker coat.
- ElenaParece que estamos en un clima ártico.It feels like we are in an arctic climate.
- JavierTienes razón, Javier está congelándose.You're right, Javier is freezing.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ártico, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ártico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
