esnórquel
/esˈnoɾkel/masculine
Snorkeling in Spanish is esnórquel. Wiktionary also lists esnórkel and snorkel (snórkel).
Meaning: the act of swimming using a snorkel (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| esnórquel | /esˈnoɾkel/ | masculine |
| esnórkel | /esnoɾkel/ (from spelling rules) | Ecuador, masculine |
| snorkel (snórkel) | masculine |
The term refers to the act of swimming using a snorkel. It is a loanword adapted from English, featuring a Spanish spelling with an accent on the 'o'.
Which one should you use?
While esnórquel is the standard adapted noun, you may also see the English spelling snorkel used, often accompanied by the phonetic spelling snórkel.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Different regions have their own preferred ways to describe the activity: in Mexico, people often say bucear con tubo, in Costa Rica the common phrase is caretear and in Puerto Rico, people frequently use bucear.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the activity of snorkeling, Spanish speakers typically use the verb hacer (to do/make) with the noun, such as in the phrase hacer esnórquel.
How do you pronounce it?
/esˈnoɾkel/
Did you know?
- The spelling esnórquel adds an 'e' to the start of the word because Spanish speakers typically find it difficult to begin a word with a consonant 's' followed by another consonant.
- Using bucear for snorkeling is common in Puerto Rico, but in other Spanish-speaking countries, this word refers strictly to scuba diving.
- The Spanish word esnórquel is a pseudo-anglicism because it uses the English noun 'snorkel' to represent the entire action of 'snorkeling'.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría experimentar el buceo de superficie durante mis vacaciones en el Caribe.I would like to experience surface diving during my vacation in the Caribbean.
- Vamos a hacer snorkel en la paradisíaca playa de Cancún.We are going to do snorkeling on the paradisiacal beach of Cancun.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are preparing for a trip to the coast.
- Javier¿Tienes un esnórquel para la excursión?Do you have a snorkel for the excursion?
- LucíaNo, Javier, pero podemos comprar uno allí.No, Javier, but we can buy one there.
- JavierVale, me encanta hacer esnórquel en aguas claras.Okay, I love snorkeling in clear waters.
- LucíaA mí también me parece un plan estupendo.I also think it sounds like a great plan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snorkeling” translations and entries esnórquel, esnórkel, 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 esnórquel, snorkel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
