iceberg
/iθeˈbeɾ/masculine
The English phrase "iceberg" can be translated into Spanish using several forms, most commonly iceberg. Wiktionary also lists banquisa and témpano de hielo.
Meaning: huge mass of floating ice (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| iceberg | /iθeˈbeɾ/ /iθeˈbeɾɡ/ |
masculine |
| banquisa | /banˈkisa/ | feminine |
| témpano de hielo | /tempano de jelo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| témpano | /ˈtempano/ | masculine |
All these terms refer to a huge mass of floating ice. You can also use the phrase la punta del iceberg as a metaphorical expression, which functions similarly to the English expression "the tip of the iceberg."
Which one should you use?
While iceberg is a common loanword used in Spanish, témpano is the more traditional Spanish term for a large piece of floating ice. The form témpano de hielo is also used to mean "iceberg."
How does it change in a sentence?
The loanword iceberg is a masculine noun, such as un iceberg. The word banquisa is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/iθeˈbeɾ/
Did you know?
- The word témpano has an unexpected ancestor in the Latin word tympanum, which refers to a drum or a tympanum.
- In Spanish literature, the word témpano is often used metaphorically to describe a person who is emotionally cold or distant.
- While iceberg is used globally, the Spanish word banquisa specifically refers to a frozen crust of seawater, known in English as 'pack ice'.
Examples in context
- El barco chocó con un iceberg.The ship collided with an iceberg.This sentence shows the use of iceberg in a collision context.Tatoeba #7864380 by Seael, translation #7782472 by Hybrid
- Lo que se ve sobre la superficie del mar no es más que la punta de un iceberg.What you see above the water is just the tip of the iceberg.This sentence illustrates the metaphorical expression using iceberg.Tatoeba #938549 by inmachan, translation #270944 by CK
- Los pasajeros estaban durmiendo en sus camarotes cuando el barco chocó contra un iceberg.The passengers were asleep in their cabins when the ship hit a huge iceberg.This sentence demonstrates the use of iceberg in a sentence about a ship collision.Tatoeba #1006216 by hayastan, translation #268401 by CK
- El barco chocó contra un témpano de hielo enorme.The ship collided with a massive iceberg.
- ¡Mira ese iceberg flotando en el mar! ¡Es impresionante!Look at that iceberg floating in the sea! It's impressive!
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A scientist and a researcher are looking at satellite photos of the ocean.
- MateoMira ese iceberg gigante en la foto.Look at that giant iceberg in the photo.
- SofíaEs impresionante el tamaño del iceberg.The size of the iceberg is impressive.
- MateoEl iceberg se está moviendo hacia el sur.The iceberg is moving towards the south.
- SofíaDebemos vigilar ese iceberg de cerca.We must watch that iceberg closely.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “iceberg” translations and entries iceberg, banquisa, témpano de hielo, témpano, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries banquisa, de, hielo, iceberg, témpano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
