tiburón
neutral, Mexico
In Mexico a shark is a tiburón. The word is the same across Spanish, and Mexican coasts have several types of shark.
You can say un tiburón for the animal. In Mexico tiburón is also a word for a shrewd, aggressive businessperson, as in es un tiburón para los negocios.
Meaning: large sea fish (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
The whale shark, called tiburón ballena, can be seen off the coast of Quintana Roo and La Paz in Baja California Sur.
How do you pronounce it?
Say tiburón as "tee-boo-ROHN", with the stress on the last syllable.
Did you know?
- The tiburón ballena is the largest fish in the world and it feeds on tiny plankton.
Examples in context
- Vimos un tiburón desde el barco.We saw a shark from the boat.
- Los tiburones no atacan a mucha gente.Sharks do not attack many people.
- El tiburón ballena es enorme.The whale shark is enormous.
Example conversation
A guide talks with tourists on a boat near Isla Holbox.
- GuíaMiren, allá hay un tiburón ballena.Look, there is a whale shark over there.
- Turista¿Es peligroso?Is it dangerous?
- GuíaNo, come plancton.No, it eats plankton.
