How to Say "Seal Animal" in Spanish

foca

/ˈfoka/

To say seal animal in Spanish, meaning the marine mammal, use foca.

foca is the general word for a seal, the marine mammal with flippers. Specific species add a name, as in Foca de Weddell for the Weddell seal.

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Argentina and Uruguay you may also hear Lobo Marino for these animals.

foca is a feminine noun, so it takes feminine articles. The plural is focas.

In IPA it is /ˈfoka/, with the stress on the first syllable.

In some coastal regions of Spain and Latin America, foca can be used informally to describe someone who is very fond of swimming or spending time in the water.
In Spanish, the term lobo marino literally translates to 'sea wolf', a name that highlights the animal's predatory nature.
There is a sharp distinction in South America between foca and lobo marino, as the latter specifically identifies the larger, visible ear flaps of sea lions.

Los lobos marinos son muy juguetones.
The seals are very playful.
La foca barbada tiene unos bigotes muy largos.
The bearded seal has very long whiskers.
La foca está nadando en el mar.
The seal is swimming in the sea.
Vimos una foca en la playa.
We saw a seal on the beach.
Esa foca es muy simpática.
That seal is very cute.

Javier and Lucía are visiting an aquarium.

Sources

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