California
/kaliˈfoɾnja/feminine
California is the Spanish name for the US state California.
California is used to refer to the specific US state.
Meaning: US state (name)
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing movement to the state, such as "to California", use the preposition a without an article. When expressing location, such as "in California", use the preposition en without an article.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaliˈfoɾnja/
Did you know?
- The fictional queen Calafia, for whom California was named, was described as a black woman who ruled over an island of Amazons.
- The word California likely derives from califa, meaning 'caliph', a title for a leader in the Islamic world.
- Spanish explorers applied the name California to the region because they initially believed the area was an island, echoing the description from the fictional poem.
Examples in context
- Nos vamos a California.We're going to California.This sentence is useful for showing how to say 'to California' using California.Tatoeba #9767277 by arh, translation #9767263 by shekitten
- Nixon nació en California.Nixon was born in California.Tatoeba #1387961 by marcelostockle, translation #804268 by Source_VOA
- Calamity Jane vivió en California.Calamity Jane lived in California.Tatoeba #1305227 by Shishir, translation #7796044 by sharris123
- La Universidad de California está ubicada en Berkeley.The University of California is located in Berkeley.
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are talking about their travel plans.
- Lucía¿Quieres viajar a California este verano?Do you want to travel to California this summer?
- AlejandroSí, me encantaría visitar California contigo.Yes, I would love to visit California with you.
- LucíaEs un estado muy grande y bonito.It is a very large and beautiful state.
- AlejandroTienes razón, Lucía, vamos a planearlo.You are right, Lucía, let's plan it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “california” translations and entries California, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries California, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
