ciclón tropical
/θiˌklon tɾopiˈkal/masculine
The English phrase 'tropical cyclone' is translated into Spanish as ciclón tropical.
The term ciclón tropical is a broad noun used to describe this weather phenomenon.
Meaning: (broad sense) (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ciclón tropical is the broad scientific term, huracán is the more common term used in everyday speech for these storms in the Atlantic and Caribbean regions.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term tifón is used to describe a tropical cyclone occurring in the Pacific Ocean, particularly in parts of Asia like the Philippines and Guam.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of ciclón tropical is ciclones tropicales, where both the noun and the adjective take the plural suffix.
How do you pronounce it?
/θiˌklon tɾopiˈkal/
Did you know?
- The word huracán comes from the Taíno god of wind and storm, who was believed to be the source of these violent weather events.
- The word ciclón shares a distant ancestral root with the English word 'cycle', as both descend from the Greek word for 'circle'.
- In many Spanish-speaking Caribbean countries, if you call a storm a ciclón tropical in casual conversation, people might think you are reading from a textbook rather than describing the weather.
Examples in context
- El ciclón tropical está pronosticado para llegar a la costa este en las próximas 48 horas.The tropical cyclone is forecasted to reach the east coast within the next 48 hours.
- La depresión tropical en el Golfo de México tiene el potencial de fortalecerse en una tormenta tropical en los próximos días.The tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico has the potential to strengthen into a tropical storm in the upcoming days.
- El ciclón se acerca rápidamente a nuestras costas, ¡prepárate para fuertes vientos y lluvias!The tropical cyclone is approaching our shores, get ready for strong winds and rain!
- El huracán se aproxima a la costa y se espera que toque tierra en las próximas horas.The tropical cyclone is approaching the coast, and it is expected to make landfall in the next few hours.
- El ciclón tropical está ganando fuerza en el Caribe.The tropical cyclone is gaining strength in the Caribbean.
- El ciclón tropical se acerca a la costa.The tropical cyclone is approaching the coast.
- No hay ningún ciclón tropical en el mapa.There is no tropical cyclone on the map.
- El ciclón tropical causó mucha lluvia.The tropical cyclone caused a lot of rain.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are watching the weather report on TV.
- LucíaMira, Daniel, hay un ciclón tropical en el océano.Look, Daniel, there is a tropical cyclone in the ocean.
- DanielParece muy fuerte, ¿irá hacia nosotros?It looks very strong, will it come towards us?
- LucíaEl reporte dice que el ciclón tropical cambiará de rumbo.The report says the tropical cyclone will change direction.
- DanielMenos mal, espero que no llegue aquí.Thank goodness, I hope it doesn't reach here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tropical cyclone” translations and entries ciclón tropical, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ciclón, tropical, CC BY-SA 4.0.
