Spanish word

cápsula

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈkapsula/

Meaning

  • feminine nouncapsule

Example

Necesito una cápsula para el dolor.

I need a capsule for the pain.

Illustration for cápsula (capsule)

More examples

La cápsula de café no se puede reciclar así.

The coffee capsule cannot be recycled like that.

Core concept

Small sealed container holding a measured portion such as a pill shell, coffee pod, seed case, or commemorative capsule.

Common phrases

  • cápsula de medicamento

    medicine capsule

  • cápsula de café

    coffee capsule

  • cápsula de vitamina

    vitamin capsule

Similar words

píldora: Forms a small, round oral tablet commonly coated and swallowed whole.
comprimido: Comprises a dense, compressed pill formed by pressing powdered ingredients into a solid.
pastilla: Functions as a lozenge-like or small tablet intended to dissolve in the mouth or be swallowed.
ampolla: Contains injectable liquid in a sealed glass container meant for single-dose use.

Definition in Spanish

Envase pequeño que encierra una sustancia, usado tanto para medicamentos como para otras aplicaciones como cápsulas de café o cápsulas del tiempo.

Word origin

The word comes from Latin capsula, a diminutive of capsa 'box', literally 'little box', and that diminutive sense extends to small sealed containers used for medicine, coffee, seeds, and time capsules.

Usage tips

  • The written accent on á is mandatory and speakers commonly add a qualifier like cápsula de café, cápsula blanda, or cápsula del tiempo to show which kind is meant.

Other meanings

  • space capsulenoun
  • seed capsulenoun
  • time capsulenoun

Word lists with this word