Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Raincoat in Spanish: Impermeable
Impermeable · noun (masculine) · eem-pehr-meh-AH-bleh
Raincoat in Spanish is impermeable, a word that literally means waterproof and doubles as the noun for a rain jacket. In Spain, chubasquero is a common alternative for a lightweight rain jacket. In Argentina, piloto refers to a raincoat or trench coat.
Say eem-pehr-meh-AH-bleh, five syllables with the stress on AH. The word is also an adjective meaning waterproof: tela impermeable (waterproof fabric).
No olvides llevar el impermeable, va a llover todo el día.
Don't forget to bring the raincoat, it's going to rain all day.
Raincoat in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for raincoat, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| impermeable | raincoat | eem-pehr-meh-AH-bleh | Default, widely understood |
| chubasquero | raincoat | Spain — a lightweight rain jacket | |
| piloto | raincoat | Argentina — raincoat or trench coat |
How Native Speakers Use Impermeable
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Rainy day preparation
Mete el impermeable en la mochila por si llueve en la tarde.
Put the raincoat in the backpack in case it rains in the afternoon.
Impermeable is understood across all Spanish-speaking countries.
Spain: lightweight rain jacket
Cómprate un chubasquero para las excursiones al monte.
Buy yourself a rain jacket for hikes in the mountains.
Chubasquero comes from chubasco (downpour) and is the casual word for a rain jacket in Spain.
Argentina
Dejé el piloto en la oficina y me mojé volviendo a casa.
I left the raincoat at the office and got soaked on the way home.
Piloto in Argentina refers to a trench-style raincoat.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Impermeable
Translating literally as abrigo de lluvia
Incorrect: Necesito un abrigo de lluvia.
Correct: Necesito un impermeable.
Abrigo de lluvia is a literal translation that sounds unnatural. Impermeable is the standard word for a raincoat in all Spanish-speaking countries.
Confusing chubasquero with chubasco
Incorrect: Va a caer un chubasquero esta tarde.
Correct: Va a caer un chubasco esta tarde.
Chubasco is a sudden heavy rain (a downpour). Chubasquero is the jacket you wear to stay dry in one. Mixing them up reverses the meaning.
Lock in Raincoat 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 Impermeable used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using impermeable in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear No olvides llevar el impermeable, va a llover todo el día. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Raincoat in Spanish
- How do you say raincoat in Spanish?
- Raincoat in Spanish is impermeable, understood everywhere. In Spain, chubasquero is a common casual alternative. In Argentina, piloto is used for a trench-style raincoat.
- Is impermeable only used for raincoats?
- Impermeable is both a noun (raincoat) and an adjective (waterproof). As an adjective, it describes any material that repels water: reloj impermeable (waterproof watch), bolsa impermeable (waterproof bag).
- What is the difference between impermeable and chubasquero?
- Both mean raincoat, but chubasquero is specifically a lightweight, packable rain jacket — think of a shell you throw in a backpack. Impermeable can refer to any rain-resistant garment, from a disposable poncho to a heavy-duty rain jacket.