isla
/ˈisla/feminine
The English word island is translated into Spanish as isla. Wiktionary also lists ínsula.
Meaning: area of land completely surrounded by water (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| isla | /ˈisla/ | feminine |
| ínsula | /ˈinsula/ | feminine |
An island is an area of land completely surrounded by water.
Which one should you use?
While isla is the standard word, ínsula is a more formal or literary synonym.
How does it change in a sentence?
isla is a feminine noun. Because of this, you must use the feminine indefinite article una instead of the masculine un when saying una isla. The plural of isla is islas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈisla/
Did you know?
- The English word 'island' is a false cognate of isla. While they look similar, 'island' contains a misleading 's' added in the 16th century to look more like the Latin ínsula.
- In Spanish, the word isla is used in the phrase isla de tráfico to describe the concrete medians or pedestrian refuges in the middle of a road.
- If you see the word insular in a Spanish text, it is an adjective related to both isla and ínsula. It can describe something physical, like an 'island' breeze, or something psychological, like an 'insular' or narrow-minded attitude.
Examples in context
- Eso no es una isla.That is not an island.This sentence is useful for negating the existence of an isla.Tatoeba #4991624 by Shishir, translation #4986231 by Airvian
- Chipre es una isla.Cyprus is an island.This sentence is useful for identifying Cyprus as an isla.Tatoeba #6000306 by ulymarrero, translation #6000123 by Hybrid
- Sumatra es una isla.Sumatra is an island.This sentence is useful for identifying Sumatra as an isla.Tatoeba #479868 by Shishir, translation #477051 by CK
- Las Islas Canarias son un destino turístico muy popular.The Canary Islands are a very popular tourist destination.
- Ella vive en una ínsula tropical alejada de la civilización.She lives on a remote tropical island, far from civilization.
- Vamos a pasar nuestras vacaciones en una hermosa isleta del Caribe.We'll spend our vacation on a beautiful Caribbean island.
- El barco naufragó cerca de un islote deshabitado.The shipwreck occurred near an uninhabited islet.
- Voy a visitar la isla de Puerto Rico en mis próximas vacaciones.I'm going to visit the island of Puerto Rico on my next vacation.
- No puedo esperar para relajarme en esa hermosa isla del Pacífico.I can't wait to relax on that beautiful Pacific island.
- Mi abuelo vive en una pequeña isleta en el Mediterráneo.My grandfather lives on a small island in the Mediterranean.
- Conocí a un pescador que vive en un islote en el Golfo de México.I met a fisherman who lives on an islet in the Gulf of Mexico.
- 157 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are looking at a map of the Caribbean.
- AlejandroMira esta pequeña isla en el mapa.Look at this small island on the map.
- ElenaEs muy bonita, quiero visitarla.It is very beautiful, I want to visit it.
- AlejandroPodemos ir en barco a la isla.We can go to the island by boat.
- Elena¡Sería un viaje fantástico, Alejandro!It would be a fantastic trip, Alejandro!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “island” translations and entries isla, ínsula, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries isla, ínsula, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
