Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Bow in Spanish: Arco, Moño, Lazo, Reverencia, and Proa
Arco · noun · AHR-koh
The English word bow is a classic example of a word with completely different Spanish translations depending on meaning. A bow-and-arrow or violin bow is un arco. A decorative ribbon bow is un moño or un lazo. The act of bowing is una reverencia, and the bow of a ship is la proa.
Arco is AHR-koh. Moño is MOH-nyoh (the ñ gives it a ny sound). Lazo is LAH-soh. Reverencia is reh-beh-REHN-syah. Proa is PROH-ah.
El niño disparó una flecha con su arco.
The boy shot an arrow with his bow.
Bow in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for bow, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| arco | bow | AHR-koh | Default, widely understood |
| moño | bow | decorative bow, ribbon bow | |
| lazo | bow | ribbon or bow, universal | |
| reverencia | bow | the act of bowing | |
| proa | bow | bow of a ship (nautical) |
How Native Speakers Use Arco
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Bow and arrow
En la clase de tiro con arco, aprendí a tensar la cuerda correctamente.
In archery class, I learned how to draw the string correctly.
Tiro con arco is the standard term for archery. Arco covers the bow weapon.
Ribbon bow on a gift
Ponle un moño rojo al regalo, se ve más bonito.
Put a red bow on the gift, it looks prettier.
Moño is the decorative bow on a present or in hair. Lazo also works in most countries.
Bowing as a greeting
El actor hizo una reverencia al final de la obra.
The actor took a bow at the end of the play.
Reverencia is the physical act of bowing—hacer una reverencia means to take a bow.
Bow of a ship
Nos sentamos en la proa del barco para ver el atardecer.
We sat at the bow of the boat to watch the sunset.
Proa is nautical vocabulary for the front of a ship, the opposite of popa (stern).
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Arco
Using arco for a ribbon bow
Incorrect: Le puse un arco al regalo.
Correct: Le puse un moño al regalo.
Arco is a weapon, a violin bow, or an arch—not a decorative ribbon. Use moño or lazo for the gift-wrapping kind of bow.
Translating to bow as inclinarse when reverencia fits better
Incorrect: El músico se inclinó ante el público. (when describing a formal bow)
Correct: El músico hizo una reverencia ante el público.
Inclinarse means to lean forward, which technically works, but hacer una reverencia specifically captures the formal bow gesture after a performance.
Lock in Bow Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Arco used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using arco in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El niño disparó una flecha con su arco. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Bow in Spanish
- How do you say bow in Spanish?
- It depends on the type of bow. A weapon or violin bow is arco. A ribbon bow is moño or lazo. The act of bowing is reverencia. The bow of a ship is proa. Spanish uses a different word for each English meaning.
- What is the difference between moño and lazo?
- Both mean a decorative bow or ribbon. Moño is more common for hair bows and gift bows in Mexico and parts of Latin America. Lazo is universal and also means lasso or tie, so it's slightly broader in meaning.
- How do you say bow and arrow in Spanish?
- Bow and arrow is arco y flecha. Archery is tiro con arco. Disparar una flecha means to shoot an arrow.