gafas de natación
/ɡafas de nataθjon/from spelling rules
Swimming goggles in Spanish is gafas de natación.
The term refers to tight-fitting protective eyewear worn to prevent water from entering the eyes while swimming.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of gafas (goggles/glasses), de (of) and natación (swimming).
Which one should you use?
You can also say gafas de nadar by using the infinitive verb instead of the noun. In many parts of Latin America, people use anteojos de natación because anteojos is a common word for eyewear. In South America, the term antiparras de natación is popular and specifically in countries like Argentina, the word antiparras is commonly used for goggles.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you may hear gafas de agua or simply gafas to refer to swimming goggles. In Mexico and Central America, lentes de natación is used. As noted, antiparras de natación or antiparras is common in South America.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡafas de nataθjon/
Did you know?
- Some believe gafas is named after Muhammad ibn Aslam Al-Ghafiqi, a 12th-century ophthalmologist from Andalusia.
- The term antiparras is a versatile word in South America, used for swimming goggles, skiing goggles and industrial safety glasses.
Examples in context
- ¿Dónde puedo comprar unas gafas de natación?Where can I buy swimming goggles?
- Mis antiparras de natación son imprescindibles para proteger mis ojos mientras nado.My swimming goggles are essential to protect my eyes while I swim.
- No encuentro mis gafas de natación.I can't find my swimming goggles.
- Necesitas unas gafas de natación nuevas.You need new swimming goggles.
- Las gafas de natación están en la mochila.The swimming goggles are in the backpack.
Example conversation
At a local swimming pool.
- Javier¿Tienes mis gafas de natación, María?Do you have my swimming goggles, María?
- MaríaSí, Javier, las tengo aquí.Yes, Javier, I have them here.
- JavierGracias, las necesito para el entrenamiento.Thanks, I need them for training.
- MaríaDe nada, ¡vamos a nadar!You're welcome, let's go swimming!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, gafas, natación, CC BY-SA 4.0.
