Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| nave espacial | /ˌnabe espaˈθjal/ /ˌnabe espaˈsjal/ |
feminine |
| astronave | /astɾoˈnabe/ | feminine |
| cosmonave | /kosmoˈnabe/ | feminine |
A spaceship is a vehicle that flies through space. Related terms you might encounter include astronauta (astronaut) and extraterrestre (extraterrestrial or alien).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase nave espacial is a literal combination of nave (ship/vessel) and espacial (space/spatial).
Which one should you use?
astronave serves as a more concise, single-word alternative often used in science fiction or technical contexts. Cosmonave is also a feminine form used for a spaceship.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because nave is a feminine noun, you must use the feminine indefinite article una instead of the masculine un for a spaceship, as in una nave espacial. To make nave espacial plural, you must change both the noun and the adjective to their plural forms: las naves espaciales.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌnabe espaˈθjal/
Did you know?
- While nave espacial is the standard term, Spanish speakers also use nave on its own as slang to describe a very cool or expensive car.
- The word nave is a cognate of the English word 'nave' used in church architecture. Both terms originate from the Latin word for 'ship', as the central part of a church was designed to resemble an overturned boat.
- The term cosmonave is often seen as a linguistic nod to the Soviet-era influence on space exploration, mirroring the use of the prefix 'cosmo-' found in 'cosmonauta'.
Examples in context
- La nave espacial hizo un aterrizaje perfecto.The spaceship made a perfect landing.This sentence shows how to use nave espacial to describe a successful landing.Tatoeba #1049335 by Shishir, translation #27026 by CK
- La nave espacial no volvería nunca a la Tierra.The spaceship was never to return to Earth.This sentence uses nave espacial to describe a vessel's departure from Earth.Tatoeba #995749 by Shishir, translation #49603 by sundown
- Ellos escudriñaron la nave espacial con una sonda.They scanned the spaceship with a probe.This sentence demonstrates using nave espacial in the context of being scanned by a probe.Tatoeba #5881428 by albrusgher, translation #4396216 by Lepotdeterre
- El astronauta se subió a la nave espacial para iniciar la misión.The astronaut got on the spaceship to begin the mission.
- Los niños imaginaron cómo sería viajar en una nave alienígena.The children imagined what it would be like to travel in an alien spaceship.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are watching a science fiction movie.
- MateoMira el tamaño de esa nave espacial.Look at the size of that spaceship.
- MaríaEs increíble, parece muy moderna.It's incredible, it looks very modern.
- Mateo¿Crees que la nave espacial pueda viajar rápido?Do you think the spaceship can travel fast?
- MaríaSí, dice la película que es supersónica.Yes, the movie says it is supersonic.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spaceship” translations and entries nave espacial, astronave, cosmonave, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries astronave, cosmonave, nave, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
