Spanish word

contaminar

Pronunciation

IPA/kontamiˈnaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbpollute

Example

No debes contaminar el río con basura.

You should not pollute the river with garbage.

Illustration for contaminar (pollute)

More examples

Las fábricas pueden contaminar el aire con gases.

Factories can pollute the air with gases.

Core concept

Food contaminated with bacteria.

Common phrases

  • contaminar el agua

    pollute the water

  • contaminar el aire

    pollute the air

  • contaminar con basura

    pollute with garbage

Similar words

ensuciar: Make a place or object dirty with trash, stains, or visible grime.
verter: Pour or dump liquid into an inappropriate place, letting it flow into the surrounding area.
derramar: Cause liquid to spill so it runs over surfaces or the ground, wetting or soiling them.
infectar: Introduce pathogens into a person or animal so they become ill.

Definition in Spanish

Introducir agentes o sustancias dañinas en un lugar, objeto o persona, provocando daño ambiental o riesgo para la salud.

Word origin

From Latin contamināre 'to defile', originally meaning to soil or foul and later extended to biological as well as chemical contamination.

Usage tips

  • For contagious disease or an infected person, Spanish favors contagiar or infectar, while contaminar is the normal choice for food, surfaces, water, or industrial pollutants.

Other meanings

  • soilverb
  • infectverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word