Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Lake in Spanish: Lago & Laguna
Lago · noun (masculine) · LAH-goh
Lago is the Spanish word for lake — any large natural body of standing water. Laguna refers to a smaller body: a small lake, lagoon, or pond.
LAH-goh (lago) · lah-GOO-nah (laguna)
El lago Titicaca está entre Perú y Bolivia.
Lake Titicaca is between Peru and Bolivia.
Lake in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for lake, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| lago | lake | LAH-goh | Default, widely understood |
| laguna | lake | smaller lake, lagoon, or pond |
How Native Speakers Use Lago
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Geography
El lago de Atitlán en Guatemala es uno de los más bellos del mundo.
Lake Atitlán in Guatemala is one of the most beautiful in the world.
Lago precedes or follows the proper name: el lago Titicaca or el lago de Atitlán.
Recreation
Fuimos a pescar al lago el fin de semana pasado.
We went fishing at the lake last weekend.
Ir al lago (to go to the lake) is common for recreation.
Smaller body of water
Hay una laguna escondida en medio del bosque.
There is a hidden lagoon in the middle of the forest.
Laguna is for smaller, shallower bodies of water.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Lago
Confusing lago with laguna
Incorrect: Visitamos el laguna de Chapala.
Correct: Visitamos el lago de Chapala.
Chapala is Mexico's largest lake — a lago (masculine), not laguna.
Wrong gender
Incorrect: La lago es profunda.
Correct: El lago es profundo.
Lago is masculine: el lago profundo. Adjective must be masculine too.
Lock in Lake 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 Lago used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using lago in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El lago Titicaca está entre Perú y Bolivia. 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 Lake in Spanish
- How do you say lake in Spanish?
- Lake is lago (masculine). Smaller lake/lagoon = laguna (feminine).
- Difference between lago and laguna?
- Lago = large lake. Laguna = smaller (small lake, lagoon, pond). Based on size.
- How do you name lakes in Spanish?
- With lago + name: el lago Titicaca, el lago de Chapala. Article el is used.