faro
/ˈfaɾo/masculine
The English word "lighthouse" is faro in Spanish.
The primary meaning of faro is a building containing a light used to warn or guide ships. However, in certain contexts, specifically when discussing vehicles, faro can also refer to a headlight.
Meaning: building containing a light to warn or guide ships (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of faro is faros.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfaɾo/
Did you know?
- The word faro is essentially a proper noun that became a common noun. It is derived from the name of the island of Pháros, where the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria was built.
- In Spanish, the word faro is used for both the massive towers on coasts and the small lamps on the front of a car.
- The term faro can be used metaphorically in Spanish to describe a person who serves as a moral or intellectual guide, much like the English word 'beacon'.
Examples in context
- Ahí está el faro.There's the lighthouse.This sentence is useful for pointing out the location of the faro.Tatoeba #3875916 by cueyayotl, translation #3733522 by CK
- El faro brilla cada doce segundos.The lighthouse flashes every twelve seconds.This sentence is useful for describing the flashing interval of the faro.Tatoeba #13681914 by Seael, translation #5732557 by Dalyup
- Nosotros vimos el brillo de un faro distante.We saw the gleam of a distant lighthouse.This sentence is useful for describing the light emitted by a distant faro.Tatoeba #1179255 by marcelostockle, translation #25857 by AlanF_US
- El faro brilla intensamente durante la noche.The lighthouse shines brightly during the night.
- En la costa caribeña, los fanales son esenciales para la navegación.On the Caribbean coast, lighthouses are essential for navigation.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are walking along the beach at sunset.
- Alejandro¿Ves aquel faro allá?Do you see that lighthouse over there?
- ElenaSí, es muy hermoso.Yes, it is very beautiful.
- AlejandroPodemos caminar hacia el faro.We can walk toward the lighthouse.
- ElenaMe parece una buena idea.That sounds like a good idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lighthouse” translations and entries faro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries faro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
