How to Say Overboard in Spanish | MostUsedWords.com
Updated for 2026, the word "overboard" can be translated into Spanish as al agua, desparramado, or por la borda. Each term has specific contexts and regional variations that are essential to understand when learning Spanish.
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How to Say "Overboard" in Spanish
The phrase al agua (IPA: /al ˈaɣwa/) is used when something or someone has fallen into the water from a boat, ship, or any floating object. It can also be used figuratively to describe excessive actions.
Regional Variations and Cultural Significance
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Browse all 4 volumes →The term desparramado (IPA: /despaˈramado/), commonly used in Spain and some Latin American countries, refers to something or someone that has fallen overboard from a ship. In contrast, the phrase por la borda (IPA: /ˈpor la ˈβoɾða/), mainly used in Latin America, translates directly to "over the edge" or "over the side," indicating that an object or person has been discarded into the water.
Sample Sentences for Accurate Usage
To better understand how these terms are used in different contexts, here are several sample sentences:
- ¡Tiré mi sombrero al agua sin querer y se fue desparramado!
- El barco golpeó una roca y varios pasajeros cayeron por la borda.
- El marinero se resbaló y se fue desparramado al mar.
- ¡Cuidado con ese bote inestable! Podrías caer por la borda.
- Cuando el viento se puso más fuerte, la carga se desparramó en el mar.
(I accidentally threw my hat into the water, and it went overboard!)
(The ship hit a rock, and several passengers went overboard.)
(The sailor slipped and fell overboard into the sea.)
(Be careful with that unstable boat! You could go overboard.)
(When the wind grew stronger, the cargo went overboard into the sea.)
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