el charco
Spain, humorous
The best-known slang word for the ocean in Spanish is el charco, literally "the puddle". People use it jokingly for the Atlantic Ocean, as in cruzar el charco for crossing the ocean. It is also called El mar and El océano.
Meaning: the sea, especially the Atlantic (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| el charco | Spain, humorous |
| El mar | everyday |
| El océano | standard |
Cruzar el charco means to travel across the Atlantic, for example from Spain to the Americas or the other way round. It is a humorous understatement and works in casual speech.
Which one should you use?
El mar is the ordinary word and also covers smaller seas and the coast. El océano is the standard word you see in books and news.
Is it said differently in some regions?
People in both Spain and Latin America understand el charco, and it often shows up in talk about emigration or long trips.
Did you know?
- The humor of el charco comes from calling a whole ocean a small puddle.
Examples in context
- Mi hermano se fue al otro lado del charco.My brother went to the other side of the pond.
- El año que viene cruzamos el charco para ver a la familia.Next year we are crossing the pond to see the family.
- Desde la playa se ve el océano.From the beach you can see the ocean.
Example conversation
Elena calls her cousin Pablo, who lives in Madrid, about a visit to Mexico.
- ElenaPablo, ¿cuándo cruzas el charco?Pablo, when are you crossing the pond?
- PabloEn diciembre, si encuentro un vuelo barato.In December, if I find a cheap flight.
- ElenaPerfecto, aquí te esperamos.Perfect, we will be waiting for you here.
