caballito de mar
/kabaʝito de maɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "seahorse" is caballito de mar in Spanish.
The phrase refers to a small marine fish characterized by a head resembling a horse and a curled tail.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of caballito (little horse), de (of) and mar (sea).
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, add an s to the end of the first word, resulting in caballitos de mar.
How do you pronounce it?
/kabaʝito de maɾ/
Did you know?
- The word caballito is also used in Spanish to describe a 'wheelie' performed on a bicycle or motorcycle. This usage comes from the way the front wheel rises, imitating the movement of a horse.
- While caballito means 'little horse', in some Spanish contexts it is used to describe a specific type of small glass used for drinking tequila or aguardiente.
- In Spanish, the word mar can be both masculine and feminine depending on the context. While it is usually masculine, poets and writers sometimes use it as a feminine noun to evoke a more artistic or romantic feeling.
Examples in context
- El caballito de mar es un animal único.The seahorse is a unique animal.This sentence is useful for identifying the seahorse as a unique animal.Tatoeba #10179397 by Jeigmz, translation #12826074 by Yepthatscool
- Vi un caballito de mar en el acuario.I saw a seahorse in the aquarium.
- El caballito de mar vive en los corales.The seahorse lives in the corals.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are snorkeling in the ocean.
- Elena¿Viste aquel caballito de mar, Javier?Did you see that seahorse, Javier?
- JavierSí, es muy pequeño y lindo.Yes, it is very small and cute.
- ElenaMe encanta observar la vida marina.I love observing marine life.
- JavierA mí también, Elena.Me too, Elena.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry caballito de mar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caballito, de, mar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
