estrella de mar
/esˌtɾeʝa de ˈmaɾ/feminine
The English word 'starfish' is translated into Spanish as estrella de mar. Wiktionary also lists estrella marina.
Meaning: various echinoderms (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| estrella de mar | /esˌtɾeʝa de ˈmaɾ/ | feminine |
| estrella marina | /estɾeʝa maɾina/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
The terms are used to refer to various types of echinoderms commonly known as starfish.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase estrella de mar literally translates to 'star of sea'.
Which one should you use?
The forms estrella de mar and estrella marina are interchangeable ways to say 'starfish'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When pluralizing the phrase, only the word estrella changes to estrellas. The part de mar remains singular, forming las estrellas de mar.
How do you pronounce it?
/esˌtɾeʝa de ˈmaɾ/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Me encanta bucear y observar las estrellas de mar en el océano.I love scuba diving and observing starfish in the ocean.
- La estrella de mar que encontré en la orilla era de un azul brillante.The starfish I found on the shore was a bright blue color.
- Vi una estrella de mar en la playa.I saw a starfish on the beach.
- Esa estrella de mar es de color naranja.That starfish is orange.
- No toques la estrella de mar, por favor.Please do not touch the starfish.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are walking along the seashore.
- Daniel¡Mira, Elena! Hay una estrella de mar allí.Look, Elena! There is a starfish over there.
- ElenaEs muy bonita, Daniel.It is very beautiful, Daniel.
- Daniel¿Quieres que la recoja para ti?Do you want me to pick it up for you?
- ElenaNo, déjala en el agua.No, leave it in the water.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “starfish” translations and entries estrella 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 de, estrella, estrella de mar, mar, marina, CC BY-SA 4.0.
