Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Aquarium in Spanish
Acuario · noun · ah-KWAH-ree-oh
The Spanish word for aquarium is 'acuario,' a masculine noun used for both the large public facility and a home fish tank. For a smaller fishbowl or tank, Spanish speakers often use 'pecera,' derived from 'pez' (fish). Acuario is also the Spanish name for the zodiac sign Aquarius.
Acuario is pronounced ah-KWAH-ree-oh. The 'cu' combination before a vowel produces a 'kw' sound, and the stress lands on the second syllable.
Llevamos a los niños al acuario el fin de semana pasado.
We took the kids to the aquarium last weekend.
aquarium in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for aquarium, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| acuario | aquarium | ah-KWAH-ree-oh | Default, widely understood |
| pecera | aquarium | specifically a fishbowl or small fish tank |
How Native Speakers Use Acuario
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Family outing
El acuario tiene una exhibición nueva de medusas.
The aquarium has a new jellyfish exhibit.
Referring to a public aquarium attraction.
Home fish tank
Compré una pecera para los peces dorados de mi hija.
I bought a fish tank for my daughter's goldfish.
Pecera is used for smaller home aquariums or fishbowls.
Zodiac reference
Mi signo del zodiaco es Acuario.
My zodiac sign is Aquarius.
Acuario doubles as the name of the zodiac sign.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Acuario
Confusing acuario and pecera
Incorrect: Vamos a visitar la pecera municipal.
Correct: Vamos a visitar el acuario municipal.
Pecera refers to a small fish tank or bowl, not a public aquarium facility. Use 'acuario' for the larger venue.
Spelling error
Incorrect: El aquario está cerca del puerto.
Correct: El acuario está cerca del puerto.
In Spanish, the word is spelled 'acuario' with a 'c,' not 'aquario' with 'qu.' The Latin root adapts differently in Spanish than in English.
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See Acuario used by native speakers
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Common Questions About aquarium in Spanish
- What is the difference between acuario and pecera?
- Acuario refers to a large aquarium facility or any sizable tank, while pecera specifically describes a small fishbowl or home fish tank, coming from the word 'pez' (fish).
- Does acuario also mean the zodiac sign?
- Acuario serves double duty in Spanish as both the word for aquarium and the zodiac sign Aquarius, which covers birthdays from January 20 to February 18.
- How do you say 'fish tank' in Spanish?
- A fish tank is most commonly called 'pecera' when it is a small home container, or 'acuario' when referring to a larger, more elaborate tank setup.