Spanish word

potable

Pronunciation

IPA/poˈtaβle/

Meaning

  • adjectivesafe to drink

Example

El agua no es potable.

The water is not safe to drink.

Illustration for potable (safe to drink)

More examples

¿Es potable la fuente de esta plaza?

Is the fountain in this square potable?

Core concept

Glass of clear water with a green check mark.

Common phrases

  • agua potable

    potable water

  • fuente potable

    potable fountain

Similar words

bebible: Fit to be drunk.
seguro: Judged safe for health, not posing a risk of sickness.
higiénico: Hygienic and clean, lacking germs or visible contamination.

Definition in Spanish

Que es apto para el consumo humano y puede beberse sin peligro, usado especialmente para el agua y bebidas.

Word origin

From Latin potabilis 'drinkable' (potare 'to drink' + -abilis 'able to be'), entered Spanish via medieval Romance forms.

Usage tips

  • Most often used with agua as 'agua potable' on signs and advisories to mark drinking water.

Other meanings

  • drinkableadjective

Opposites

  • imbebibleundrinkableadjective
  • nocivoharmfuladjective

Word lists with this word