cenote
/θeˈnote/masculine
The Spanish word for "cenote" is cenote.
The term cenote is the standard Spanish word used to refer to a cenote, which is a deep natural well or sinkhole.
Meaning: deep natural well or sinkhole (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
cenote is a masculine noun. To say "a cenote", use the indefinite article un, resulting in un cenote. To form the plural "the cenotes", add an -s to the end to get los cenotes.
How do you pronounce it?
/θeˈnote/
Did you know?
- The word cenote comes from the Yucatec Maya word tsʼonoʼot, which means 'sacred well'.
- In ancient Mayan culture, cenotes were not just water sources but were believed to be portals to the underworld, known as Xibalba.
- Archaeologists have found precious jewelry, incense and pottery at the bottom of certain cenotes, left as offerings to the rain god Chaac.
Examples in context
- El cenote es una maravilla natural de la península de Yucatán.The cenote is a natural wonder of the Yucatan peninsula.
- El cenote es muy profundo.The cenote is very deep.
- Visitamos un cenote cristalino hoy.We visited a crystalline cenote today.
- Ese cenote es una maravilla natural.That cenote is a natural wonder.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are planning a trip to the jungle.
- María¿Quieres ir al cenote mañana?Do you want to go to the cenote tomorrow?
- AlejandroSí, me encantaría nadar allí.Yes, I would love to swim there.
- MaríaEl cenote es perfecto para el calor.The cenote is perfect for the heat.
- AlejandroEs una excelente idea, María.It is an excellent idea, María.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cenote” translations and entries cenote, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cenote, CC BY-SA 4.0.
