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"Playa" is a form of "playa", a noun which is often translated as "beach". "Mar" is a form of "mar", a noun which is often translated as "sea". Learn more about the difference between "playa" and "mar" below.
la playa(
plah
-
yah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. beach
Ayer fuimos a dar un paseo por la playa al amanecer.We went for a walk on the beach at sunrise yesterday.
el mar, la mar(
mahr
)This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
2. (figurative) (abundance)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. world (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
Siempre ha habido un mar de diferencia entre nosotros.There's always been a world of difference between us.
b. wave (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
Cuando entré en la cocina, me abofeteó un mar de olores deliciosos.When I went into the kitchen, I was hit by a wave of delicious smells.