foca
/ˈfoka/feminine
The English word seal (referring to the pinniped) is translated into Spanish as foca. Wiktionary also lists lobo marino and lobo del mar.
Meaning: pinniped (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| foca | /ˈfoka/ | feminine |
| lobo marino | /ˌlobo maˈɾino/ | masculine |
| lobo del mar | /lobo del maɾ/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term is used to refer to the marine mammal. While foca is the general term for a seal, you may also encounter terms that refer more specifically to sea lions or fur seals.
What does it mean word for word?
The term lobo marino literally translates to 'sea wolf'.
Which one should you use?
foca is the general term for a seal. In contrast, lobo marino or lobo del mar is often used specifically for sea lions or fur seals.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine noun foca becomes focas in its plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfoka/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, foca is always a feminine noun, even when referring to a male seal.
- The word foca is a direct descendant of the Ancient Greek word φώκη (phṓkē), which was used to describe the same animal over two thousand years ago.
- In some Spanish-speaking coastal communities, people may use lobo as a shorthand for lobo marino when the context of the ocean is already established.
Examples in context
- La orca atrapó a una foca.The orca caught a seal.This sentence shows the use of foca in a predatory context.Tatoeba #10493979 by Seael, translation #12250823 by opalandwoof
- Había una foca en la costa.There was a seal on the shore.This sentence shows the use of foca regarding location.Tatoeba #11841669 by Seael, translation #851969 by marloncori
- La foca es un animal de las regiones polares.The seal is an animal from the polar region.This sentence shows the use of foca regarding habitat.Tatoeba #1976129 by Shishir, translation #12253226 by opalandwoof
- ¿Dónde está la exhibición de focas?Where is the seal exhibit?
- ¡Mira, un lobo marino!Look, a seal!
- Cuando visité las Islas Galápagos, pude ver decenas de lobos marinos nadando cerca de la costa.When I visited the Galapagos Islands, I was able to see dozens of seals swimming near the coast.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are watching a nature documentary on TV.
- AlejandroMira esa foca en la roca.Look at that seal on the rock.
- SofíaEs una foca muy linda.It is a very cute seal.
- AlejandroParece que está durmiendo.It looks like it is sleeping.
- SofíaSí, la foca se ve muy tranquila.Yes, the seal looks very peaceful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “seal” translations and entries foca, lobo marino, lobo del 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 del, foca, lobo, mar, marino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
