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naufragio

shipwreck

noun nah-oo-FRAH-hyoh Less Common

Origin: From Latin naufragium.

Usage Note

Naufragio refers to both the physical wreck of a ship and, metaphorically, a complete failure or ruin (el naufragio de un proyecto = 'the collapse of a project'). The verb is naufragar. Do not confuse with náufrago ('shipwrecked person' or 'castaway'), which is the human survivor.

Examples

"El naufragio ocurrió cerca de la costa."

Natural Translation

The shipwreck occurred near the coast.

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