Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| muelle | /ˈmweʝe/ | masculine |
| puerto | /ˈpweɾto/ | masculine |
| dársena | /ˈdaɾsena/ | feminine |
| pantalán | /pantaˈlan/ | masculine |
The term dock refers to a fixed structure used to secure a vessel. While muelle is a common term for a dock, other words may be more precise depending on the specific type of structure or the context of disembarking from a ship, such as desembarcadero.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the scale and function of the structure. Muelle is a general term for a large dock. In contrast, puerto refers to the entire harbor or port facility rather than just the specific structure. Pantalán is used for a smaller structure, such as a jetty or a floating pier, used for mooring boats. For more technical contexts, dársena refers specifically to a dock or a basin within a harbor where ships are moored or loaded.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain contexts, especially in Latin American Spanish, puerto can be used to refer to a dock.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural forms for these nouns are muelles for muelle, dársenas for dársena and pantalanes for pantalán.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmweʝe/
Did you know?
- While muelle means a dock, it is also the word for a 'spring' in a mechanical sense, such as the coils in a mattress.
- The word pantalán for a small pier or jetty actually comes from the Tagalog word pantalan in the Philippines.
Examples in context
- Los ingenieros levantaron un plano para un nuevo muelle.The engineers drew up plans for a new dock.This sentence uses muelle to describe the creation of plans for a new dock.Tatoeba #2268115 by cueyayotl, translation #2268114 by _undertoad
- A Tom le gusta sentarse en el muelle con sus pies colgando en el agua.Tom likes to sit on the dock with his feet dangling in the water.This sentence uses muelle to describe a person sitting on a dock.Tatoeba #1600817 by marcelostockle, translation #1093282 by CK
- El barco está atracado en el muelleThe boat is docked at the dock
- La carga será descargada en el muelleThe cargo will be unloaded at the dock
- Vamos a reunirnos en el embarcaderoLet's meet at the dock
- Los barcos descargan su mercancía en el puertoThe ships unload their cargo at the dock
- Los turistas se bajaron del barco en el desembarcaderoThe tourists got off the boat at the dock
- El barco se aproximó al muelle para atracarThe boat approached the dock to dock
- Me encontré con Juan en el embarcaderoI met Juan at the dock
- El barco está atracado en el muelle.The ship is moored at the dock.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are walking along the waterfront.
- DanielMira ese muelle, parece muy antiguo.Look at that dock, it looks very old.
- ElenaSí, pero es muy útil para los pescadores.Yes, but it is very useful for the fishermen.
- Daniel¿Crees que podemos caminar por allí?Do you think we can walk over there?
- ElenaClaro, vamos a explorar el lugar.Sure, let's explore the place.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dock” translations and entries muelle, puerto, dársena, pantalán, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dársena, muelle, pantalán, puerto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
