Spanish word

fosfato

Pronunciation

IPA/fosˈfato/

Meaning

  • masculine nounphosphate

Example

Los fosfatos están en muchos refrescos.

Phosphates are in many soft drinks.

Illustration for fosfato (phosphate)

More examples

Compré un detergente sin fosfatos.

I bought a phosphate-free detergent.

Core concept

Phosphate as the PO4^3- ion and its common salts in minerals, fertilizers, and living tissue.

Common phrases

  • fosfatos en detergentes

    phosphates in detergents

  • productos sin fosfatos

    phosphate-free products

  • contiene fosfatos

    contains phosphates

Similar words

nutriente: Nutrient required for growth, energy use, and maintenance of living tissues.
aditivo: Additive used in foods to preserve them, alter texture, or adjust taste.
fósforo: Phosphorus as an element, a reactive nonmetal present in rocks and organisms.

Definition in Spanish

Sal o anión formado por el grupo fosfato (PO4^3−), común en minerales, fertilizantes y tejidos vivos.

Word origin

Spanish fosfato comes from French phosphate, ultimately from Latin phosphatum and Greek phōsphoros 'light-bearer', with the suffix -ato marking a salt or oxyanion.

Usage tips

  • Spanish fosfato refers to the ionic or salt forms, while fósforo is the elemental phosphorus, and the different accent and ending signal that distinction.

Other meanings

  • phosphate saltnoun

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