Spanish word

válvula

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈbalβula/

Meaning

  • feminine nounvalve

Example

¿Cómo se abre la válvula?

How do you open the valve?

Illustration for válvula (valve)

More examples

Antes de cocinar, comprueba que la válvula de gas esté cerrada.

Before cooking, check that the gas shut-off valve is closed.

Core concept

Small doorlike flap inside a pipe that opens, closes, or regulates flow.

Common phrases

  • válvula de gas

    gas shut-off valve

  • válvula de escape

    exhaust valve

Similar words

grifo: Fixture on a sink or wall that releases or stops household water when operated.
llave: Turn-operated control that opens or shuts a water or gas line by rotating a spindle.
canilla: Tap at a sink or basin common in South America that dispenses running water when turned.
tapón: Removable stopper that seals a pipe or container opening to prevent leaks.

Definition in Spanish

Mecanismo que abre, cierra o regula el paso de un líquido o gas en un tubo o conducto.

Word origin

Spanish válvula comes from Latin valvula, the diminutive of valva 'leaf or folding door', originally meaning 'little door' and later applied to fittings that control fluid or gas flow in pipes.

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech Spanish speakers use grifo for a faucet and llave de paso for a shut-off valve, while válvula appears mainly in technical, industrial, and medical contexts.

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