Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| submarino | /submaˈɾino/ | masculine |
| sumergible | /sumeɾˈxible/ | masculine |
| ictíneo | /iɡtineo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine, rare |
The word submarino is used to mean an undersea boat. It also functions as the standard adjective for things that are undersea or submerged. To be more specific, you can use submarino nuclear for a nuclear submarine or submarino de combate for a combat submarine.
What does it mean word for word?
The word submarino is a cognate where the prefix sub- means under and the root refers to the sea.
Which one should you use?
Submarino is the most common term for the vessel and can also function as an adjective. Sumergible is a more technical term often used to refer to a submersible, which might be smaller or possess different capabilities than a full-scale military submarino. Ictíneo is a rare term for a submarine.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using submarino as an adjective to describe a feminine noun, such as guerra (war), it changes to the feminine form submarina.
How do you pronounce it?
/submaˈɾino/
When do people say it?
When referring to the German submarines used during World War II, Spanish speakers commonly use the English term U-boat without translation.
Did you know?
- The rare term ictíneo comes from the Greek word for 'fish', specifically reflecting the fish-like shape of early submarine designs.
- The verb root in sumergible comes from sumergir, which literally means 'to plunge into water'.
- Spanish differentiates between submarino, a vessel designed to operate underwater, and sumergible, which usually refers to a craft that can be submerged but lacks full independent autonomy.
Examples in context
- ¿Eso es un submarino?Is that a submarine?This sentence is useful for asking if something is a submarine.Tatoeba #4718916 by Shishir, translation #4494913 by CK
- Un submarino puede viajar sobre y bajo el agua.A submarine can travel over and under the water.This sentence is useful for describing the movement of a submarine.Tatoeba #1477907 by marcelostockle, translation #1477910 by marcelostockle
- Yo no he visto en mi vida un submarino amarillo.I've never seen a yellow submarine in my life.This sentence is useful for a playful reference to a yellow submarine.Tatoeba #2160334 by Shishir, translation #253794 by CK
- El submarino es una valiosa herramienta para la investigación oceánica.The submarine is a valuable tool for oceanic research.
- Los sumergibles modernos están equipados con tecnología de última generación.Modern submarines are equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
- Ayer vi un sub en el puerto. ¡Era enorme!Yesterday, I saw a sub at the harbor. It was huge!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are watching a documentary about the ocean.
- AlejandroMira, Sofía, un submarino enorme.Look, Sofía, an enormous submarine.
- SofíaEs un submarino muy impresionante.It is a very impressive submarine.
- AlejandroMe gustaría viajar en uno.I would like to travel in one.
- SofíaSería una aventura increíble para ti.It would be an incredible adventure for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “submarine” translations and entries submarino, sumergible, ictíneo, 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 submarino, sumergible, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
