alberca
everyday, Mexico
In Mexico a swimming pool is an alberca. The word piscina is understood but is the usual choice in Spain and many other countries.
Meaning: swimming pool (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| alberca | everyday, Mexico |
| piscina | standard |
Hotels, clubs and houses in Mexico advertise an alberca. You can say Vamos a la alberca for "let us go to the pool".
Which one should you use?
In Argentina people say pileta, which would sound odd in Mexico. Mexicans may also use alberca for a large tank of water used for other purposes.
How does it change in a sentence?
Alberca is feminine, so it takes la and una.
Did you know?
- The Mexican word alberca comes from Arabic and originally meant a water reservoir.
Examples in context
- Vamos a la alberca después de comer.Let us go to the pool after lunch.
- El hotel tiene una alberca grande.The hotel has a big pool.
- La alberca está muy fría.The pool is very cold.
Example conversation
Cousins Carla and Beto plan an afternoon at the pool during a family trip to Cancún.
- CarlaBeto, ¿vamos a la alberca?Beto, shall we go to the pool?
- BetoSí, voy por mi traje de baño.Yes, I will get my swimsuit.
- CarlaApúrate, que está muy bonita.Hurry up, it looks great.
