The Spanish word for boat or ship, which is barco, is derived from the Latin term barca.
Latin American Pronunciation
European Pronunciation
Barco is a masculine noun, so it takes the following definite and indefinite articles:
- el barco = the boat / ship
- un barco = a boat / ship
- los barcos = the boats / ships
- unos barcos = some boats / ships
If you want to specify that you are travelling by boat, by ship or by sea (the last of which implies you are on a vessel of some sort), you can use the expression en barco.
Nosotros vamos a viajar en barco.
We are going to travel by boat.
There are many different types of boats and ships in existence, the most common of which include:
- barco contenedor = container ship
- barco de guerra = warship
- barco de pesca / pesquero = fishing boat
- barco de vapor = steamboat
- barco de vela = sailboat
- barco náufrago = shipwreck
- barco a motor = motorboat
- barco nodriza = supply ship
- barco vivienda = houseboat
Tuvieron que abandonar el barco porque estaban siendo atacados.
They had to abandon ship because they were being attacked.
A boat ride is known as either cruce en barco or trayecto en barco in Spanish, whereas a boat tour or cruise is a paseo en barco.
In Mexico, specifically, you can use barco as an adjective to describe someone, usually a teacher or professor, who is excessively good natured and undemanding towards their students. The phrase Es un maestro muy barco, for example, implies that the teacher is overly lenient, always aiming to please the students, and readily approving their work even if they put in minimal effort throughout the course.
Idiomatic expressions featuring ‘barco’
Estar todos en el mismo barco
Literal translation: to be all in the same boat
English meaning: to be all in the same boat
Como barco sin timón
Literal translation: like a boat without a helm
English meaning: to be irresolute or lack a firm purpose in life.
Como barcos que se cruzan en la noche
Literal translation: like passing ships in the night
English meaning: like passing ships in the night
Finally, let’s not forget two of the most iconic phrases a sailor can learn before setting out to sea: ¡Ah del barco! (Ahoy there!) and ¡Barco a la vista! (Ship ahoy!)
