Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Pond in Spanish: Estanque & Charca
Estanque · noun (masculine) · ehs-TAHN-keh
The Spanish word for pond is 'estanque,' typically referring to an artificial or decorative body of standing water, such as those found in parks and gardens. A 'charca' is a smaller, often natural or temporary pond, sometimes muddy or formed by rain.
Pronounce 'estanque' as ehs-TAHN-keh, with stress on the second syllable. 'Charca' is pronounced CHAHR-kah.
Hay peces de colores en el estanque del jardín.
There are goldfish in the garden pond.
Pond in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for pond, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| estanque | pond | ehs-TAHN-keh | Default, widely understood |
| charca | pond | a smaller, natural, or muddy pond | |
| laguna | pond | can refer to a larger pond or small lake |
How Native Speakers Use Estanque
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Garden feature
Construimos un estanque con nenúfares en el patio trasero.
We built a pond with water lilies in the backyard.
Describing a landscaping project.
Nature walk
Los patos nadan en la charca del bosque.
The ducks swim in the forest pond.
Observing wildlife during a hike.
Park visit
Los niños lanzan pan a los peces del estanque del parque.
The kids throw bread to the fish in the park pond.
A family activity at a public park.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Estanque
Confusing 'estanque' with 'tanque'
Incorrect: Los patos nadan en el tanque.
Correct: Los patos nadan en el estanque.
'Tanque' means a storage tank or military tank, not a pond. The correct word for a decorative body of water is 'estanque.'
Using 'lago' for a small pond
Incorrect: Hay un lago pequeñito en mi jardín.
Correct: Hay un estanque en mi jardín.
A 'lago' is a lake, which implies a much larger body of water. For garden-sized water features, 'estanque' is the accurate term.
Lock in Pond 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 Estanque used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using estanque in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Hay peces de colores en el estanque del jardín. 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 Pond in Spanish
- What is the difference between 'estanque,' 'charca,' and 'laguna'?
- An 'estanque' is typically man-made and decorative, a 'charca' is a small natural or temporary pool of water, and a 'laguna' is larger and can refer to a lagoon or small lake.
- Can 'estanque' be used for a koi pond?
- A koi pond translates perfectly as 'estanque de koi' or 'estanque de peces,' and the word 'estanque' is the standard term for any ornamental fish pond.
- How do you say 'duck pond' in Spanish?
- A duck pond is 'estanque de patos,' combining the word for pond with 'patos' (ducks), which is a common feature in parks throughout Spanish-speaking countries.