las gafas
Las gafas means "glasses" (eyeglasses). In Spanish, it is typically plural even when you mean one pair.
Common Phrases
- llevar gafas — to wear glasses
- ponerse las gafas — to put on your glasses
Example
No encuentro las gafas en la toalla.
I cannot find the glasses on the towel.
Common Mistake
Using singular: la gafa. In most everyday situations, use the plural: las gafas.
el traje
El traje can mean "suit" (formal clothes) and, in beach contexts, it often refers to a swimsuit when the situation makes it clear.
Common Phrases
- traje de bano — swimsuit (general term)
- ponerse el traje — to put on the suit/swimsuit
Example
Me pongo el traje antes de ir a la playa.
I put on the swimsuit before going to the beach.
Common Mistake
Assuming el traje always means a business suit; at the beach, the clearer phrase is el traje de bano, not el traje alone if confusion is possible.
el sol
El sol means "the sun." It is used for weather, warmth, and sunlight in general.
Common Phrases
- tomar el sol — to sunbathe
- al sol — in the sun / under the sun
Example
El sol pega fuerte en la tarde.
The sun is really strong in the afternoon.
Common Mistake
Mixing up meanings: la sola is not "the sun." The correct word is el sol.
el agua
El agua means "the water." It looks masculine because it uses el, but it is actually feminine.
Common Phrases
- agua fria — cold water
- entrar en el agua — to go into the water
Example
El agua esta fria hoy.
The water is cold today.
Common Mistake
Using masculine adjectives: el agua frio. Correct: el agua fria (feminine adjective).
el pez
El pez means "the fish" (a living fish). It is a common word for what you might see near rocks or in clear water.
Common Phrases
- un pez pequeno — a small fish
- peces de colores — colorful fish
Example
Veo un pez entre las rocas.
I see a fish among the rocks.
Common Mistake
Confusing pez with pescado; el pez is alive, while el pescado is fish as food (avoid un pescado nada).
el faro
El faro means "the lighthouse." It is used for coastal landmarks that guide boats at night.
Common Phrases
- la luz del faro — the lighthouse light
- cerca del faro — near the lighthouse
Example
Caminamos cerca del faro al atardecer.
We walk near the lighthouse at sunset.
Common Mistake
Using the wrong article: la faro. Correct: el faro.
el barco
El barco means "the boat" or "ship" in a general sense. At the beach, it can be a small boat offshore or a larger vessel passing by.
Common Phrases
- subir al barco — to get on the boat
- un barco lejos — a boat far away
Example
El barco pasa lejos de la costa.
The boat passes far from the coast.
Common Mistake
Mixing prepositions: en el barco (on/in the boat) vs al barco (to the boat). Correct movement idea: subir al barco.
la arena
La arena means "the sand." It is what sticks to your feet, towel, and swimsuit at the beach.
Common Phrases
- arena mojada — wet sand
- una playa de arena — a sandy beach
Example
La arena se pega a mis pies.
The sand sticks to my feet.
Common Mistake
Confusing la arena (sand) with el estadio or "arena" in English; in Spanish, la arena is sand, not a sports venue.