Spanish Conversation · Level 96
60 words
Spanish word
tambor
Pronunciation
IPA/tamˈboɾ/
Meaning
- masculine noundrum
Example
El tambor suena en la fiesta.
The drum sounds at the party.
More examples
En el desfile, los niños tocan el tambor.
In the parade, the children play the drum.
Core concept
Hollow percussion instrument with a stretched membrane that vibrates when struck and is used to mark rhythms.
Common phrases
tocar el tambor
play the drum
golpear el tambor
beat the drum
Similar words
batería: Set of several drums and cymbals configured for one player to provide beats and fills.
pandereta: Small circular frame with a membrane and metal discs that jingle when hit or shaken.
bombo: Very large drum delivering a low, resonant thump that underpins the rhythm.
cajón: Rectangular wooden box whose front panel is tapped with hands to make percussion sounds.
Definition in Spanish
Instrumento de percusión con un cuerpo hueco y una membrana tensada que vibra al ser golpeada y se usa para marcar ritmos.
Word origin
From Old French tambour and Italian tamburo, ultimately from an imitative root tamb- that evokes the sound of striking.
Usage tips
- In everyday speech tambor usually refers to a single drum, while the drum kit is called la batería, and speakers say tocar el tambor for one drum and tocar la batería for a kit.
Other meanings
- oil drumnoun
Related words
- tamborerodrummernoun
- tamborilsmall drumnoun
- tamboreardrumverb