Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say "Moose" in Spanish
Alce · noun · AHL-seh
A moose is called "alce" in Spanish. It is a masculine noun (el alce) and forms a regular plural (los alces). Since moose inhabit northern North America and Scandinavia — regions outside the Spanish-speaking world — the word appears mostly in nature documentaries, travel stories, and children's educational content.
Say AHL-seh. The stress falls on the first syllable, the "c" before "e" sounds like "s" in Latin America and "th" in most of Spain, and the final "e" is always pronounced.
Vimos un alce enorme cerca del lago en Canadá.
We saw a huge moose near the lake in Canada.
Moose in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for moose, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| alce | moose | AHL-seh | Default, widely understood |
| ante | moose | archaic / rarely used |
How Native Speakers Use Alce
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Travel story
Durante nuestro viaje a Alaska, un alce cruzó la carretera.
During our trip to Alaska, a moose crossed the road.
"Alce" is the standard term used across all Spanish-speaking regions.
Nature documentary
El alce macho puede pesar más de quinientos kilogramos.
A male moose can weigh more than five hundred kilograms.
Use "alce macho" for a bull moose and "alce hembra" for a cow moose.
Comparing animals
El alce es el cérvido más grande del mundo, más alto que un caballo.
The moose is the largest cervid in the world, taller than a horse.
"Cérvido" (cervid) is the scientific family term that includes deer, elk, and moose.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Alce
Confusing moose and elk
Incorrect: Vimos un alce en las montañas de Colorado. (meaning elk)
Correct: Vimos un uapití en las montañas de Colorado.
In Spanish, "alce" specifically means moose (Alces alces). The North American elk is "uapití" or "ciervo canadiense." Confusing the two is a common error for English speakers.
Wrong gender article
Incorrect: La alce estaba bebiendo agua del río.
Correct: El alce estaba bebiendo agua del río.
"Alce" is masculine regardless of the animal's biological sex. Always use "el alce." For a female moose specifically, say "el alce hembra."
Lock in Moose 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 Alce used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using alce in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Vimos un alce enorme cerca del lago en Canadá. 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 Moose in Spanish
- Is there a difference between "alce" and "alce americano"?
- "Alce" on its own typically refers to the moose. "Alce americano" can be used for extra clarity when distinguishing from the Eurasian elk, which is the same species but called "alce europeo" in some texts.
- Why isn't "moose" used as a loanword in Spanish?
- Spanish already had "alce" (derived from a Germanic root) before extensive contact with English. Unlike some animal names that lack a Spanish equivalent, "alce" has been established in dictionaries for centuries.
- How do I say "moose antlers" in Spanish?
- Moose antlers are "astas de alce" or "cuernos de alce." Technically, "astas" is the more precise term for antlers (which are shed annually), while "cuernos" (horns) is used informally.