huracán
/uɾaˈkan/masculine
The Spanish word for hurricane is huracán.
Huracán is the direct translation of hurricane and is used in both informal and formal contexts to describe this weather phenomenon.
Meaning: weather phenomenon (noun)
Which one should you use?
While huracán is the standard term, you might encounter ciclón when referring to a hurricane or a tropical storm and la tormenta can be used informally to refer to a hurricane within a specific context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Caribbean, huracán is the most commonly used term. In Mexico, the term ciclón may be used to describe a hurricane or a tropical storm.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of huracán is huracanes.
How do you pronounce it?
/uɾaˈkan/
Did you know?
- In Caribbean mythology, Huracán was the name of a powerful god of wind and storm who brought chaos to the world.
- Because of its Taíno origins, the word huracán is an early example of an indigenous American word that was absorbed into global languages, including English.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, the word huracán can also be used figuratively to describe a person with a very intense, energetic, or even chaotic personality.
Examples in context
- El huracán Katrina devastó Nueva Orleans.Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.This example shows the use of huracán when naming a specific storm.Tatoeba #1617909 by Alba, translation #1617827 by Spamster
- La casa de Tom fue destruida por un huracán.Tom's house was destroyed by a hurricane.This sentence demonstrates how huracán is used to describe the cause of destruction to a house.Tatoeba #1418417 by hayastan, translation #1414988 by Spamster
- A pesar del huracán la nave llegó al puerto.In spite of the hurricane, the ship reached port.This sentence shows how to use huracán to describe an event occurring despite the weather.Tatoeba #2267277 by cueyayotl, translation #2267276 by _undertoad
- La tormenta tropical se convirtió en un huracán de categoría 3.The tropical storm became a category 3 hurricane.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are watching the news together.
- DanielMira, el huracán se acerca a la costa.Look, the hurricane is approaching the coast.
- MaríaEspero que no sea muy fuerte.I hope it is not too strong.
- DanielDicen que este huracán es categoría cinco.They say this hurricane is category five.
- MaríaEntonces debemos comprar provisiones ahora.Then we should buy supplies now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hurricane” translations and entries huracán, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries huracán, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
