marea roja
/maɾea ɾoxa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "crimson tide" is translated into Spanish as marea roja.
This phrase describes the biological phenomenon where algae blooms cause seawater to take on a reddish color.
Which one should you use?
While the English phrase "crimson tide" uses a specific shade of red, the standard Spanish term marea roja uses the common word for red.
How do you pronounce it?
/maɾea ɾoxa/
Did you know?
- While marea roja refers to algae, Spanish speakers use the word marea to describe any tide or surge, but also colloquially to describe a massive crowd of people.
- In Spanish-speaking sports culture, the color red is personified in the nickname La Roja to give the national team a distinct identity.
- In many Spanish-speaking coastal regions, a marea roja is not just a color change but a warning of toxicity in local seafood.
Examples in context
- El equipo de fútbol americano de Alabama es conocido como la Marea Carmesí.The University of Alabama's football team is known as the Crimson Tide.
- ¡Soy fanático de la Marea Roja!I'm a fan of the Crimson Tide!
- La marea roja afectó a los peces.The red tide affected the fish.
- Hay una marea roja en la costa.There is a red tide on the coast.
- El agua se volvió oscura por la marea roja.The water turned dark because of the red tide.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are looking at the ocean from a balcony.
- Mateo¿Ves el color extraño en el mar?Do you see the strange color in the sea?
- MaríaSí, parece una marea roja muy fuerte.Yes, it looks like a very strong red tide.
- MateoEs preocupante para los pescadores locales.It is worrying for the local fishermen.
- MaríaEs verdad, Mateo, puede ser peligroso.It's true, Mateo, it can be dangerous.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries marea, roja, CC BY-SA 4.0.
