narval
/naɾˈbal/masculine
The Spanish word for narwhal is narval.
The term refers to the Arctic cetacean known as the narwhal.
Meaning: Arctic cetacean (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word narval is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/naɾˈbal/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word narval shares an eerie origin with the word for a 'corpse' in Old Norse, due to the creature's pale skin. This etymological link through Scandinavian languages explains why the name sounds so similar to its English counterpart.
- In Spanish, the tusk of a narval is called a colmillo, the same word used for a vampire's canine or a boar's fang.
- In Spanish, the term narval is often used in historical contexts to describe the 'unicorns of the sea' whose tusks were sold as magical powders in medieval Europe.
Examples in context
- El narval es el unicornio del mar.The narwhal is the unicorn of the sea.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use narval in a description.Tatoeba #7822289 by 100nosewiggles, translation #5723288 by AlanF_US
- El profesor explicó cómo el unicornio marino usa su colmillo para diversas funciones.The professor explained how the marine unicorn uses its tusk for various purposes.
- Vi un narval en el documental.I saw a narwhal in the documentary.
- El narval vive en aguas frías.The narwhal lives in cold waters.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a science book in a library.
- Daniel¿Qué es este animal, un narval?What is this animal, a narwhal?
- SofíaSí, es un narval muy especial.Yes, it is a very special narwhal.
- DanielTiene un colmillo muy largo.It has a very long tusk.
- SofíaEs fascinante, Daniel.It is fascinating, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “narwhal” translations and entries narval, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries narval, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
