escotilla
/eskoˈtiʝa/
The English word hatch can be translated into Spanish as escotilla or eclosionar depending on whether you are referring to a physical opening or a biological process.
In Spanish, the term used depends entirely on the context. If you are talking about a physical door or an opening, such as a hatch on a ship or a spacecraft, use escotilla. If you are referring to the biological process of an animal emerging from an egg, use the verb eclosionar.
Meaning: to emerge from an egg (verb)
Which one should you use?
Escotilla refers to a physical hatch or an opening, whereas eclosionar describes the biological action of hatching from an egg. Additionally, while both escotilla and escotillón can refer to a horizontal door, escotillón is used specifically to describe a larger or more significant hatch.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/eskoˈtiʝa/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the noun escotilla when you want to say that an animal is hatching from an egg. Instead, use the verb eclosionar.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word escotilla is used for the opening of a ship, but a small opening in a garment's neckline is called an escote.
- While eclosionar is the precise term for hatching, Spanish speakers often use the phrase romper el cascarón, which literally means 'to break the shell'.
- In Spanish, the word escotilla can also refer to a sunroof in a car, as it is viewed as a small hatch in the vehicle's roof.
Examples in context
- La dotación está ahora abriendo la escotilla.The crew is now opening the hatch.This sentence shows how to use escotilla in the context of a crew opening a hatch.Tatoeba #5861019 by albrusgher, translation #268435 by CM
- Cierra la escotilla.Close the hatch.This sentence demonstrates a command to close the escotilla.Tatoeba #4960776 by albrusgher, translation #2245186 by CK
- Los pollitos salieron del cascarón y ahora están correteando por el campo.The chicks hatched and are now running around the field.
- El polluelo rompió el cascarón y asomó su pequeña cabeza.The chick hatched and peeked its tiny head out of the eggshell.
Example conversation
Maria and Javier are exploring an old ship.
- MaríaMira, Javier, encontré una escotilla.Look, Javier, I found a hatch.
- JavierParece que está bloqueada.It looks like it is blocked.
- MaríaIntentaré abrir la escotilla ahora.I will try to open the hatch now.
- JavierTen mucho cuidado, María.Be very careful, Maria.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry escotilla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
