Pokemon Vocabulary in Spanish
Because I’ve been playing Pokemon a lot lately I decided to throw together a vocab list. Keep in mind that a lot of the words are usually direct translations that work really well in English or they’re closer to the original Japanese. I’ll make notes where needed.
Some of these are a little different between the European Spanish version and the Latin American Spanish version. For example, “brick break” in Spain is demolición which is “demolition”, and in Latin America it’s karatazo meaning “karate chop”. Most of these are the same, but some are regionally distinct. I’m going based off of Spain because I’m consulting my game which is European Spanish.
Note: Any official names or names of moves will be Uppercase. Me explaining what they more literally mean will be lowercase so there’s no confusion
Normal = Normal
normal = normal, regular
Fuego = Fire
el fuego = fire
Agua = Water
el agua = water [technically a feminine noun]
Planta = Grass
la planta = plant [“grass” is usually la hierba or sometimes words like el pasto, or for a “lawn/grass” it’s often el césped]
Volador = Flying
volador(a) = flying, capable of flight
Tierra = Ground
la tierra = earth, ground
Roca = Rock
la roca = rock [synonymous with la piedra “stone”]
Eléctrico = Electric
eléctrico/a = electric
Bicho = Bug
el bicho = bug [slang for el insecto “insect”, though el bicho can sometimes mean other things]
Lucha = Fighting
la lucha = a fight / wrestling [la lucha libre]
Psíquico = Psychic
psíquico/a = psychic
Veneno = Poison
el veneno = poison, venom
Fantasma = Ghost
el fantasma = ghost [surprisingly, fantasma is masculine]
Hielo = Ice
el hielo = ice
Dragón = Dragon
el dragón = dragon
Acero = Steel
el acero = steel
Siniestro = Dark
siniestro/a = sinister, shady, underhanded [in older contexts siniestro/a is “left” or “left-handed”]
Hada = Fairy
el hada = fairy [technically a feminine noun]
Remember that the Pokemon types themselves are considered adjectives
Me gustan los Pokemon tipo Agua. = I like water-type Pokemon.
No me gustan los Pokemon tipo Hada. = I don’t like fairy-type Pokemon.
Los Pokemon tipo Fantasma son mis favoritos. = Ghost-type Pokemon are my favorites.
El (tipo) Siniestro es débil contra el tipo Hada, Bicho, y Lucha. = Dark is weak against Fairy, Bug, and Fighting.
El (tipo) Psíquico es fuerte contra el tipo Veneno y Lucha. = Psychic is strong against Poison and Fighting.
¿Cuáles son los Pokemon tipo Acero más fuertes? = What are the strongest steel-type Pokemon?
Malicioso = Leer
malicioso/a = malicious
Cara Susto = Scary Face
la cara = face
(el) susto = scare, fright
da susto = scary
Placaje = Tackle
el placaje = tackle [in football/rugby]
Derribo = Take Down
el derribo = demolition
derribar = to knock down, to bring down
Doble Filo = Double Edge
el filo = edge, blade
Picotazo = Peck
el pico = beak
-azo = [suffix meaning “a strike from”; thus it’s “a strike with a beak”]
Mofa = taunt
la mofa = ridicule, mockery, taunting
mofar(se) = to taunt / to make fun of
Arañazo = Scratch
el arañazo = a scratch
arañar = to scratch
Cuchillada = Slash
la cuchillada = a slash or stab (with something sharp)
acuchillar = to stab/slash (often with a knife which is el cuchillo)
Constricción = Wrap
la constricción = constriction
Atadura = Bind
la atadura = binding, ties
atar = to tie, to tie up
Atizar = Slam
atizar = to stoke, to stir up / to slam, to whack
Impactrueno = Thundershock
el impacto = impact
el trueno = thunder
Ascuas = Ember
el ascua = an ember [technically feminine, las ascuas in plural]
Pistola Agua = Water Gun
la pistola = pistol, gun
el agua = water [technically feminine]
Destructor = Pound
destructor(a) = destructive
Burbuja = Bubble
la burbuja = a bubble
Mordisco = Bite
el mordisco = a bite
morder = to bite
Triturar = Crunch
triturar = to crunch, to crush, to mash
Ataque Arena = Sand Attack
el ataque = attack
la arena = sand [or “arena” as in a stadium]
Pisotón = Stomp
el pisotón = a stomp, a stamping (of the foot) [lit. “big trample/step”]
pisotear = to step on, to trample
pisar = to step on, to step foot on
Golpe Cuerpo = Body Slam
el golpe = strike, hit
el cuerpo = body
Contoneo = Swagger
el contoneo = swaying, swaggering
contonear = “to swing your hips”, “to walk with a swagger”, “to strut”
Bostezo = Yawn
el bostezo = a yawn
bostezar = to yawn
Más Psique = Psych Up
[lit. “more/plus” + “psyche”]
Corpulencia = Bulk Up
la corpulencia = size/girth/bulk (of the body), corpulence
corpulento = large/fat, bulky
Reserva = Stockpile
la reserva = reserve, a stockpile
reservar = to reserve, to save up
Escupir = Spit Up
escupir = to spit
[they probably went with escupir “to spit” because “to spit up” in English sounds more like vomitar is more gross]
Tragar = Swallow
tragar = to swallow
Rayo = Thunderbolt
el rayo = a lightning bolt, a bolt
el rayo = a beam/bolt
Rayo Hielo = Ice Beam
Rayo Solar = Solar Beam
Rayo Carga = Charge Beam
Rayo Confuso = Confuse Beam
Rayo Burbuja = Bubble Beam
Rayo Aurora = Aurora Beam
Psicorrayo = Psybeam
Hiperrayo = Hyper Beam
la onda = wave [often in the sense of electromagnetic waves, microwave, wavelengths etc.]
Onda Trueno = Thunder Wave
Onda Ígnea = Heat Wave
Onda Voltio = Shock Wave
Onda Tóxica = Sludge Wave
el puño = fist / punch
Puño Fuego = Fire Punch
Puño Trueno = Thunder Punch
Puño Hielo = Ice Punch
Puño Sombra = Shadow Punch
Puño Drenaje = Drain Punch
la patada = a kick
Doble Patada = Double Kick
Patada Baja = Low Kick
Patada Ígnea = Blaze Kick
la garra = claw
Garra Dragón = Dragon Claw
Garra Metal = Metal Claw
Garra Umbría = Shadow Claw
el colmillo = fang
Colmillo Veneno = Poison Fang
Colmillo Ígneo = Fire Fang
Colmillo Rayo = Thunder Fang
Colmillo Hielo = Ice Fang
Vendaval = Hurricane
el vendaval = gale, strong wind
[el huracán is “hurricane” literally]
Fuego Fatuo = Will-O-Wisp
el fuego fatuo = will-o-wisp [ghostly lights]
Tóxico = Toxic
tóxico/a = toxic, poisonous
Lanzallamas = Flamethrower
el lanzallamas = a flamethrower [lit. “launches/throws-flames”]
Ventisca = Blizzard
la ventisca = blizzard, flurry
Cornada = Horn Attack
la cornada = goring [being gored by the horns or tusks of an animal]
Bote = Bounce
el bote = a bounce, a jump [among other things]
Buena Baza = Assurance
la baza = a trump card, “ace up the sleeve”, “secret weapon”
[so literally it means “a really good trump card”]
Maquinación = Nasty Plot
la maquinación = machination, plot, plotting, sneaky plan
Látigo = Tail Whip
el látigo = whip, lash
Latigazo = Power Whip
el latigazo = lashing, a lash, a whipping
[lit. “blow from a whip”]
Azote = Flail
el azote = a whip, a flail, a scourge, cat-o-nine-tails / a smack from a whip
azotear = to whip, to lash
Carámbano = Icicle Spear
el carámbano = an icicle
Brillo Mágico = Dazzling Gleam
el brillo = shine, gleam
mágico/a = magical
Absorber = Absorb
absorber = to absorb
Megaagotar = megadrain
agotar = to drain, to drain away, to exhaust
Gigadrenado = gigadrain
drenar = to drain
Polvo Veneno = Poison Powder
el polvo = dust / powder
Paralizador = Stune Spore
paralizador(a) = paralyzing
Somnífero = Sleep Powder
somnífero/a = inducing sleep
el somnífero = a sleeping pill
Fuerza Lunar = Moon Blast
la fuerza = strength
lunar = lunar/moon
Rueda Fuego = Flame Wheel
la rueda = wheel
Terremoto = Earthquake
el terremoto = earthquake
Bola Sombra = Shadow Ball
la bola = ball
la sombra = shadow, shade
Paranormal = Extrasensory
paranormal = paranormal, ghostly, spooky
el tajo = a cut or slash
Tajo Aéreo = Air Slash
Tajo Umbrío = Night Slash
Tajo Cruzado = Cross Chop
Sombra Vil = Shadow Sneak
la sombra = shadow
vil = vile, evil, fiendish
Tinieblas = Nightshade
las tinieblas = “darkness” [used euphemistically as “darkness” or “the shadows”]
el pulso = pulse
Pulso Umbrío = Dark Pulse
Pulso Dragón = Dragon Pulse
Pulso Cura = Heal Pulse
Hidropulso = Water Pulse
la cola = tail
Cola Férrea = Iron Tail
Cola Veneno = Poison Tail
Cola Dragón = Dragon Tail
Acua Cola = Aqua Tail
Hidrobomba = Hydro Pump
la bomba = pump / bomb
Hidroariete = Liquidation
el ariete = battering ram, ram (of a ship) / striker, forward (in football/soccer, sometimes called el delantero in Spanish)
[literally hidroariete would be like “hydro-ram”]
Liofilización = Freeze Dry
la liofilización = (the process of) freeze-drying
Testarazo = Head Smash
la testa = head [another word for la cabeza]
testarudo/a = stubborn, hard headed
la testarada = headbutt [another word for el cabezazo]
-azo = (a strike with)
Mazazo = Wood Hammer
el mazo = mallet, hammer
-azo = (a strike with)
Pantalla de Luz = Light Screen
la pantalla = screen
la luz = light
Reflejo = Reflect
el reflejo = reflection / reflex
Avalancha = Rock Slide
la avalancha = avalanche [snow] / rockslide [rocks]
Alud = Avalanche
el alud = avalanche [slow] / rockslide [rocks] / mudslide [mud] / deluge, spill
Picadura = Bug Bite
la picadura = bite, sting (from an insect)
Zumbido = Bug Buzz
el zumbido = a buzzing, buzzing noise, droning noise (mechanical)
Chirrido = Screech
el chirrido = a shriek, a screeching noise
chirriar = to squeak, to shriek, to screech
Descanso = Rest
el descanso = a rest
descansar = to rest
Ronquido = Snore
el ronquido = a snore, snoring sound
roncar = to snore
Sonámbulo = Sleep Talk
sonámbulo/a = a sleepwalker
[in Spanish it’s more “to move around in your sleep” but in English it’s “talking”]
Viento Hielo / Viento Helado = Icy Wind
el viento = wind
hielo = ice
helado/a = icy
Torbellino = Whirlpool
el torbellino = a whirlpool, a waterspout
Rapidez = Swift
la rapidez = quickness
Ida y Vuelta = U-turn
(de) ida y vuelta = “round trip” [lit. “going and returning”]
Infortunio = Hex
el infortunio = misfortune, accident, bad luck, a jinx/hex
Otra Vez = Encore
otra vez = “again”, “once more”, “once agan”
Señuelo = Follow Me
el señuelo = decoy, lure
Premonición = Future Sight
la premonición = premonition, prediction
la púa = spike, barb
Púas = Spikes
Púas Tóxicas = Toxic Spikes
Puya Nociva = Poison Jab
la puya = lance, spear / a sharp jab
nocivo/a = noxious, poisonous
Joya de Luz = Power Gem
la joya = jewel, gem
la luz = light
Furia = Rage
la furia = fury, rage, anger
Enfado = Outrage
el enfado = anger, rage, outrage
Cascada = Waterfall
la cascada = waterfall, cascade
Salmuera = Brine
la salmuera = brine / pickling liquid
Escaldar = Scald
escaldar = to scald / to blanche (vegetables)
Pájaro Osado = Brave Bird
el pájaro = bird
osado/a = daring, bold [not as common but synonymous with audaz and atrevido/a for “bold”, though more in the idea of “daring” and “reckless”… not the same as valiente “brave”]
A bocajarro = Close Combat
a bocajarro = “(at) point-blank (range)” / “no holding back”, “blunt”
Agua Lodosa = Muddy Water
el agua = water [technically feminine]
lodoso/a = muddy, sludgy, murky (water)
Bomba Lodo = Sludge Bomb
la bomba = bomb / pump
el lodo = mud / sludge
Dragoaliento = Dragonbreath
el aliento = breath
Cometa Draco = Draco Meteor
el cometa = comet [masculine; la cometa is a “kite”]
Perforador = Horn Drill
perforador(a) = perforating, something that makes holes
Frío Polar = Sheer Cold
el frío = cold
polar = polar, of the poles
Canto Helado = Ice Shard
el canto = stone, pebble, stone chip, little piece of something / a song, singing, canto
helado/a = icy
Poder Pasado = Ancient Power
el poder = power
pasado/a = past, ancient
Roca Afilada = Stone Edge
la roca = rock, stone
afilado/a = sharp, razor-sharp
Espada Santa = Sacred Sword
la espada = sword
santo/a = holy, sacred
Cavar = Dig
cavar = to dig
Fuerza Equina = High Horsepower
la fuerza = strength
equino/a = horse, equine
Llamarada = Fire Blast
la llamarada = flash of fire, flare-up
Sofoco = Overheat
el sofoco = a hot flash / a feeling of being suffocated or stifled
Lanza Mugre = Gunk Shot
lanzar = to throw, to shoot, to launch
la mugre = grime, filth
Tierra Viva = Earth Power
la tierra = earth
vivo/a = alive, living
Corte = Cut
el corte = a cut [from cortar “to cut” / not to be confused with la corte “court”]
Fuerza = Strength
la fuerza = power, strength
Surf = Surf
el surf = the surf [also surfear “to surf” or hacer surf]
Vuelo = Fly
el vuelo = a flight [from volar “to fly”]
Buceo = Dive
el buceo = a dive, diving [from bucear “to dive down underwater” as in like “scuba diving” / not to be confused with zambullirse which is someone “diving” off a diving board in swimming]
Destello = Flash
el destello = a glimmer, a flash [from destellar “to twinkle” or “to shine, to flash”]
Some Pokemon moves have pretty clear patterns. You might see ígneo/a “fiery/igneous” for fire-related things or just fuego, you normally see umbrío/a “shady, gloomy, dark” for dark or shadow things, férreo/a or de hierro for “iron” for metal and steel moves, or you might see helado/a “icy” for others. Sometimes you see voltio “volt” or voltaico “electric”… things like that.
You can typically spot the patterns and figure out what type they’re talking about if you recognize any cognates in English. So if you know aéreo means “air”, then you can sort of piece together that Golpe Aéreo “Aerial Ace” will be a flying move, since it literally means “air strike”.
Sequía = Drought
la sequía = drought
el sol pega fuerte = “the sunlight is harsh”
[lit. “the sun beats/sticks/strikes hard”]
Tormenta (de) Arena = Sandstorm
la tormenta de arena = a sandstorm
la tormenta de arena zarandea a ___ = “the sandstorm buffets ___”
zarandear = to shake, to buffet, to knock around
Granizo = Hail
el granizo = hail / hailstone
granizar = to hail
Los estados, Los problemas de estados / Status Problems
envenenado/a = poisoned
causar envenenamiento = to cause poison / to cause poisoning
quemado/a = burned
la quemadura = a burn
daño de retroceso = recoil damage
amedrentar = to flinch, to cause flinching
[in Pokemon it’s “flinching”, in regular Spanish it means “to intimidate” or “to instill fear”]
enamorado/a = in love [often caused by (la) Atracción which is “Attract”)
estar enamorado/a de = to be in love with
debilitado/a = fainted
[lit. “weakened”]
Most of these status effects are used with estar given that they’re temporary and states of being
La eficacia / Effectiveness
supereficaz = super effective
poco eficaz = not very effective
fallar = to miss, to fail
el golpe crítico = critical hit
afectar = to affect
no afecta a ___ = (it) doesn’t affect ___
evolucionar = to evolve
(Un Pokemon) ha evolucionado = (A Pokemon) evolved
(Un Pokemon) está evolucinando = (A Pokemon) is evolving
debilitarse = “to faint”
[lit. “to weaken / to go weak, to go limp”; when someone “faints” or “passes out” it’s normally desmayarse, but debilitarse does also have this idea in it too]
(Un Pokemon) se ha debilitado = (A Pokemon) fainted
Un Pokemon salvaje te corta el paso = “A wild Pokemon appears”
[lit. “a wild Pokemon cuts into your way”, sort of like “a wild Pokemon cuts you off”]
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