orca
/ˈoɾka/feminine
The Spanish word for orca is orca. Wiktionary also lists orco.
Meaning: ''Orcinus orca'' (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| orca | /ˈoɾka/ | feminine |
| orco | /ˈoɾko/ | masculine |
The word refers to the marine mammal *Orcinus orca*.
Which one should you use?
The feminine form orca is used to refer to the species or a female specimen. In contrast, the masculine form orco does not refer to the marine mammal. Instead, it means an orc, which is a mythical creature.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, you may encounter the term la ballena asesina to mean the killer whale.
How does it change in a sentence?
orca is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈoɾka/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may mistakenly use orco to refer to the whale, but orco actually means a mythical orc.
Did you know?
- The word orco shares a root with huerco, a colloquial Spanish word for 'child' or 'boy' used primarily in northern Spain.
- Because orca is a feminine noun, adjectives describing the whale must always be feminine, regardless of whether the animal is actually male.
- While orca is the standard term, using ballena asesina in some Spanish-speaking regions can sound more dramatic or alarming than the scientific name.
Examples in context
- La orca atrapó a una foca.The orca caught a seal.This sentence is useful for seeing the word orca used with a verb of capturing.Tatoeba #10493979 by Seael, translation #12250823 by opalandwoof
- Las orcas ibéricas tienen al atún rojo como una de sus presas preferentes.Red tuna is one of the preferred prey of the Iberian orca.This sentence shows how to refer to the Iberian orca and its prey.Tatoeba #10221247 by Seael, translation #10612124 by sangelo
- Las orcas se están "orcanizando".The orcas are orca-nizing.This sentence illustrates a playful use of the word orca.Tatoeba #11867533 by shekitten, translation #11861149 by shekitten
- La orca es una especie marina magnífica.The orca is a magnificent marine species.
- El estudio del comportamiento del Orcinus orca es fascinante.The study of the behavior of Orcinus orca is fascinating.
- ¡Mira, un cachalote! Oh, espera, ¡es una orca!Look, a sperm whale! Oh, wait, it's an orca!
- No te acerques a la ballena asesina, ¡puede ser peligrosa!Don't get close to the killer whale, it can be dangerous!
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are watching a nature documentary on TV.
- SofíaEsa orca es enorme.That orca is huge.
- AlejandroSí, es un animal impresionante.Yes, it is an impressive animal.
- Sofía¿Viste cómo nadaba la orca?Did you see how the orca was swimming?
- AlejandroFue increíble, Sofía.It was incredible, Sofia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “orca” translations and entries orca, orco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries orca, orco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
