canal
/kaˈnal/feminine, masculine
The English word 'canal' is translated into Spanish as canal. If unsure, use canal. Wiktionary also lists caz and cauz.
Meaning: artificial waterway (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| canal | /kaˈnal/ | feminine, masculine |
| caz | /ˈkaθ/ /ˈkas/ |
masculine |
| cauz | /kauθ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /kaus/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
canal refers to an artificial waterway. When you want to refer specifically to a television channel, you should use the phrase canal de televisión. Other related water-related terms include embalse (reservoir), esclusa (lock) and acueducto (aqueduct).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions, such as Spain or parts of Latin America, the word acequia is used specifically when referring to irrigation canals.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun canal is masculine and is used with the masculine article el to form el canal.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈnal/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Because canal ends in '-al', English speakers may mistakenly treat it as a feminine noun. However, it is a masculine noun and should be used with masculine articles.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word canal descends from the Akkadian word qanûm, which referred to a 'reed'.
- While canal is the general term, the word acequia specifically refers to irrigation systems brought to Spain by the Moors.
- Spanish uses the word canal in anatomy to describe a duct or passage in the body, such as the canal auditivo for the ear canal.
Examples in context
- El buzo se tiró al canal.The frogman jumped into the canal.This sentence shows how to use canal regarding a person jumping into the water.Tatoeba #1712736 by teskmon, translation #1417266 by CM
- Pasamos por el canal de Panamá.We passed through the Panama Canal.This sentence uses canal to refer to the Panama Canal.Tatoeba #2259780 by hayastan, translation #2259779 by _undertoad
- El barco atravesó el canal de Suez.The ship went through the Suez Canal.This sentence uses canal to refer to the Suez Canal.Tatoeba #693273 by Shishir, translation #273419 by CK
- El canal de Panamá es una maravilla de la ingeniería.The Panama Canal is an engineering marvel.
- Las acequias en esta zona son fundamentales para la agricultura.The canals in this area are crucial for agriculture.
- El ancho canal está lleno de agua.The wide canal is full of water.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are walking through a park.
- Elena¿Viste ese canal de allá?Did you see that canal over there?
- AlejandroSí, es un canal muy bonito.Yes, it is a very beautiful canal.
- ElenaAlejandro, ¿podemos sentarnos junto al agua?Alejandro, can we sit by the water?
- AlejandroClaro, Elena, vamos a sentarnos.Of course, Elena, let's sit down.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “canal” translations and entries canal, caz, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries canal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
