Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tabla de surf | /ˌtabla de ˈsoɾf/ /ˌtabla de ˈsuɾf/ |
feminine |
| tabla hawaiana | /ˈtabla awaˈjana/ (word by word) | feminine |
The term refers to a shaped, waterproof plank used for surfing waves. You can specify the material of the board by adding the material after the phrase, such as tabla de surf de madera for a wooden surfboard, tabla de surf de fibra de vidrio for a fiberglass surfboard or tabla de surf de espuma for a foam surfboard. While tabla de surf is the standard term for the object, you may also see tabla de surfista used to refer specifically to a surfer's board.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tabla de surf literally translates to board of surf.
Which one should you use?
The standard term is tabla de surf, but you may also encounter tabla hawaiana.
How does it change in a sentence?
tabla de surf is a feminine noun. When referring to a specific surfboard, use the feminine article la to say la tabla de surf. To make the phrase plural, change the noun from tabla to tablas to get tablas de surf.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌtabla de ˈsoɾf/
Did you know?
- The word tabla is used not only for sports but also for a grid of data, such as a 'multiplication table'. This creates a linguistic link between a surfboard and a spreadsheet.
- The word tabla shares a common ancestor with the English word 'table', as both descend from the Latin 'tabula'.
- In many Spanish-speaking coastal regions, you might hear people use the English word 'surf' as a verb, such as in the phrase 'surfear'.
Examples in context
- Puede que Tom compre una tabla de surf hoy.Tom might buy a surfboard today.This sentence shows the use of tabla de surf in a context of purchasing.Tatoeba #10233412 by manufrutos, translation #6437813 by CK
- Se moría de ganas de probar su nueva tabla de surf.He couldn't wait to try out his new surfboard.This sentence shows the use of tabla de surf in a context of trying out a new object.Tatoeba #2112182 by teskmon, translation #1905665 by Dejo
- Me encanta comprar una tabla de surf nueva cada verano.I love buying a new surfboard every summer.
- Compré un tablón de surf para disfrutar de las olas en la costa cantábrica.I bought a surfboard to enjoy the waves on the Cantabrian coast.
- ¿Viste mi nueva tabla de surf? ¡Es alucinante!Did you see my new surfboard? It's awesome!
- Adoro montar mi tabla de surf en las olas gigantes.I love riding my surfboard on the big waves.
- Prefiero las tablas de surf de madera por su estilo clásico.I prefer wooden surfboards for their classic style.
- Esa tabla de surf es demasiado grande para mí.That surfboard is too big for me.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are at the beach looking at equipment.
- Javier¿Dónde dejaste la tabla de surf, Sofía?Where did you leave the surfboard, Sofía?
- SofíaEstá en el coche, Javier.It is in the car, Javier.
- JavierPerfecto, vamos a buscarla.Perfect, let's go get it.
- Sofía¡Las olas están increíbles hoy!The waves are incredible today!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “surfboard” translations and entries tabla de surf, tabla hawaiana, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (tabla, hawaiana) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, surf, tabla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
