Spanish Conversation · Level 133
44 words
Spanish word
fósforo
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈfosfoɾo/
Meaning
- masculine nounmatch
Example
Enciende un fósforo y prende la vela.
Light a match and light the candle.
More examples
En la mochila había varios fósforos y un encendedor.
There were several matches and a lighter in the backpack.
Core concept
Short wooden or paper stick with a combustible head used to light a flame.
Common phrases
prender con un fósforo
light with a match
raspar un fósforo
strike a match
Similar words
cerilla: Slim matchstick with a coated head that catches fire when rubbed on a striker.
cerillo: Small, often slightly thinner matchstick that creates a quick single-use flame when struck.
encendedor: Portable pocket device that creates a flame by igniting fuel with a spark or button.
Definition in Spanish
Objeto corto y delgado, generalmente de madera o papel, con una cabeza inflamable que se enciende al frotarla para producir fuego.
Word origin
Comes from Greek phōsphóros 'light-bringer' and the element name phosphorus later lends its name to the manufactured match in the 19th century because early match heads contain phosphorus.
Usage tips
- In Spain speakers usually say cerilla while in much of Latin America fósforo or cerillo are more common, and the written accent on fósforo marks the stressed syllable.
Other meanings
- phosphorusnoun