resaca
/reˈsaka/feminine
The Spanish word for riptide is resaca.
The noun resaca refers to a strong tidal flow. You will commonly see this word used on warning signs at beaches to alert swimmers to dangerous currents.
Meaning: strong tidal flow (noun)
Which one should you use?
While resaca is often used for both riptide and undertow in common speech, it specifically refers to the receding water that pulls swimmers away from the shore.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun resaca is feminine and requires the feminine article la.
How do you pronounce it?
/reˈsaka/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, 'resaca' is also the common slang term for a 'hangover' after a night of drinking.
- The word resaca is actually a distant relative of the verb 'to extract', specifically linked to the idea of drawing or pulling something out.
- While resaca is used for riptides, the term corriente de retorno is often used in official safety manuals to be more precise.
Examples in context
- Por favor, tenga cuidado con las corrientes de resaca en esta playa.Please be careful with the riptides at this beach.
- Cuidado con la corriente fuerte, puede arrastrarte mar adentro.Be careful with the strong current, it can drag you out to sea.
- Ten mucho cuidado, hay corrientes peligrosas en esta zona de la playa.Be very careful, there are dangerous currents in this area of the beach.
- La resaca es muy peligrosa hoy.The riptide is very dangerous today.
- Ten cuidado con la resaca en esta playa.Be careful with the riptide on this beach.
- Sintió la fuerza de la resaca.He felt the strength of the riptide.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are standing on the beach watching the ocean.
- Alejandro¿Ves esa zona con mucha espuma?Do you see that area with a lot of foam?
- LucíaSí, parece que hay una resaca fuerte.Yes, it looks like there is a strong riptide.
- AlejandroMejor no nos metamos al agua, Lucía.Better if we don't go into the water, Lucía.
- LucíaTienes razón, Alejandro, es muy arriesgado.You are right, Alejandro, it is very risky.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “riptide” translations and entries resaca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries resaca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
