océano Pacífico
/oˌθeano paˈθifiko/masculine
The English phrase "pacific ocean" is océano Pacífico in Spanish. Wiktionary also lists Pacífico.
Meaning: the world's largest body of water (name)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| océano Pacífico | /oˌθeano paˈθifiko/ /oˌseano paˈsifiko/ |
masculine |
| Pacífico | /paˈθifiko/ /paˈsifiko/ |
masculine |
This term refers to the world's largest body of water. You can use the full name océano Pacífico or simply refer to it as el Pacífico by omitting the word for ocean.
Which one should you use?
While océano Pacífico is the standard name, you may also see the word océano omitted, leaving just Pacífico.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term El Mar del Sur is an informal way to refer to the Pacific Ocean that is particularly common in countries like Mexico.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the ocean in a sentence, you should use the definite article el before the phrase, as in el océano Pacífico or el Pacífico.
How do you pronounce it?
/oˌθeano paˈθifiko/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the adjective pacífico can describe both the ocean and a person's temperament, but it is also used in legal contexts to describe a 'peaceful' protest or gathering.
- The name Pacífico was chosen by Ferdinand Magellan, who named the waters after the calmness he observed during his voyage.
- While English speakers rarely use 'pacific' as a general adjective, Spanish speakers frequently use pacífico to describe anything tranquil, from a 'peaceful' sleep to a 'calm' lake.
Examples in context
- El barco navegó por el Océano Pacífico.The boat sailed across the Pacific Ocean.This sentence is useful for describing a boat sailing across the océano Pacífico.Tatoeba #1519523 by hayastan, translation #45675 by CM
- Este río desemboca en el Océano Pacífico.This river flows into the Pacific Ocean.This sentence is useful for describing a river flowing into the océano Pacífico.Tatoeba #1471024 by inmachan, translation #3073621 by Tappity
- Él cruzó el Océano Pacífico en treinta días.He crossed the Pacific Ocean in thirty days.This sentence is useful for describing someone crossing the océano Pacífico.Tatoeba #1306753 by marcelostockle, translation #288522 by CM
- El Océano Pacífico es el más grande y profundo de todos los océanos del mundo.The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of all the oceans in the world.
- Chile se encuentra en la costa del Pacífico Sur.Chile is located on the South Pacific coast.
- Me gustaría conocer las playas del Pacífico Norte de México.I would like to visit the beaches of the North Pacific in Mexico.
- Vivo en California, cerca del Océano Pacífico.I live in California, near the Pacific Ocean.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are looking at a world map.
- DanielEl océano Pacífico es el más grande.The Pacific Ocean is the largest.
- LucíaSí, es impresionante su tamaño.Yes, its size is impressive.
- DanielQuiero viajar por el océano Pacífico algún día.I want to travel across the Pacific Ocean someday.
- LucíaSería una aventura increíble, Daniel.That would be an incredible adventure, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pacific ocean” translations and entries océano Pacífico, Pacífico, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Pacífico, océano, pacífico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
