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"La costa" is a noun which is often translated as "coast", and "el litoral" is a noun which is also often translated as "coast". Learn more about the difference between "la costa" and "el litoral" below.
la costa(
kohs
-
tah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. coast
Van a la costa en el verano cuando hace calor en el interior.They go to the coast in the summer when it gets hot inland.
b. shore
Los niños se divirtieron jugando en la costa del lago Michigan.The children had fun playing on the shore of Lake Michigan.
c. bank
Fuimos a la hermosa ciudad de San Isidro en la costa del Río de la Plata.We went to the beautiful city of San Isidro on the banks of the La Plata River.
el litoral(
lee
-
toh
-
rahl
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (geography)
a. coast
Tenemos una casa en las montañas y otra en el litoral.We have a house in the mountains and one on the coast.
c. littoral (technical)
A word or phrase that is only used by experts, professionals, or academics in a particular field (e.g., exposition).
El huracán primeramente llegó a las casas por el litoral.The hurricane first struck the homes along the littoral.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
2. (geography)
a. coastal
La región litoral se anegó con la marea alta.The coastal region got flooded at high tide.
b. littoral (technical)
A word or phrase that is only used by experts, professionals, or academics in a particular field (e.g., exposition).
La vegetación litoral es escasa en el este.The littoral vegetation in the east is sparse.
