Spanish Conversation · Level 9
90 words
Spanish word
bombilla
Pronunciation
IPA/bomˈbiʝa/
Meaning
- feminine nounlight bulb
Example
La bombilla de la lámpara está fundida.
The lamp's light bulb is burned out.
More examples
¿Puedes cambiar la bombilla?
Can you change the light bulb?
Core concept
Glass bulb that screws or plugs into a lamp socket and emits light.
Common phrases
cambiar la bombilla
change the light bulb
bombilla fundida
burned-out light bulb
bombilla de repuesto
replacement light bulb
Similar words
bombillo: Small everyday light bulb for household lamps, informal speech.
foco: Electric light bulb commonly mentioned in speech in some regions; usage varies.
lámpara: Complete lighting fixture or lamp unit that houses one or more bulbs, like a table or floor lamp.
Definition in Spanish
Bulbo o lámpara de vidrio que se enrosca o se inserta en una lámpara y sirve para producir luz al recibir corriente eléctrica.
Word origin
From Spanish bomba 'swelling, pump' plus the diminutive -illa, originally naming small rounded objects or containers and later applied to electric light bulbs.
Usage tips
- In many parts of South America bombilla commonly means the metal straw used to drink mate, so context determines whether it refers to a light bulb or a mate straw.
Other meanings
- mate strawnoun