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popa

stern

noun POH-pah Rare
Travel & Places Transportation

Origin: From Latin puppis (stern of a ship).

Usage Note

Popa is the nautical term for the rear/stern of a ship, as opposed to proa (bow/front). The expression viento en popa (literally 'wind at the stern', i.e. with a following wind) is a common idiom meaning that things are going very well or smoothly. Despite ending in -a, this is a normal feminine nautical term.

Examples

"El capitán se dirigió hacia la popa del barco."

Natural Translation

The captain headed toward the stern of the ship.

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