la marea está alta
/la maɾea esta alta/from spelling rules
The phrase "the tide is high" is translated into Spanish as la marea está alta.
This phrase is used to describe the moment during a tidal cycle when the level of the ocean reaches its highest point.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of la marea (the tide), está (is – indicating a state or condition) and alta (high).
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the verb está (from the verb estar) is used rather than ser because the high tide is considered a temporary state or condition of the water level.
Did you know?
- To describe a 'rip current' or a dangerous tide, Spanish speakers often use the term resaca, which literally means 'hangover' in a medical context.
- While marea means 'tide', it shares a root with the word mareo, which refers to seasickness or dizziness.
- The word marea is used in Spanish to describe more than just the ocean, such as a marea de gente to describe a massive crowd of people moving together.
Examples in context
- No podemos nadar porque la marea está alta.We cannot swim because the tide is high.
- No podemos caminar por la arena porque la marea está alta.We cannot walk on the sand because the tide is high.
- Mira el nivel del agua, la marea está alta hoy.Look at the water level, the tide is high today.
- Es peligroso nadar ahora que la marea está alta.It is dangerous to swim now that the tide is high.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are standing on a beach looking at the ocean.
- ElenaMateo, no podemos jugar al fútbol en la orilla.Mateo, we cannot play soccer at the shoreline.
- Mateo¿Es por eso que la marea está alta?Is it because the tide is high?
- ElenaSí, el agua ha cubierto casi toda la arena.Yes, the water has covered almost all the sand.
- MateoTienes razón, esperaremos a que baje.You are right, we will wait for it to go down.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
