ácido
“ácido” means “sour” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
sour, acidic
Also: tart, sharp
📝 In Action
El limón es demasiado ácido para comerlo solo.
A1The lemon is too sour to eat by itself.
El suelo en esta zona es muy ácido, por eso no crece nada.
B1The soil in this area is very acidic; that's why nothing grows.
Hizo un comentario bastante ácido sobre mi nuevo peinado.
B2He made a quite sharp (or cutting) comment about my new hairstyle.
acid
Also: sharpness
📝 In Action
El profesor nos enseñó las propiedades del ácido sulfúrico.
B1The professor taught us the properties of sulfuric acid.
El ácido clorhídrico es esencial para la digestión.
B1Hydrochloric acid is essential for digestion.
Necesitamos medir el nivel de ácido en la batería.
A2We need to measure the acid level in the battery.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ácido
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'ácido' as a noun (the chemical substance)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin word 'acidus,' which meant 'sour' or 'sharp.' It has been used to describe this specific taste for centuries.
First recorded: Medieval Latin, entering Spanish in its modern form shortly thereafter.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'ácido' and 'agrio'?
'Ácido' usually refers to a natural sourness (like a lemon) or a chemical property. 'Agrio' often implies that something has gone bad or spoiled (like sour milk or bad wine), or a general unpleasant sourness.
Does 'ácido' have a figurative meaning?
Yes. When describing a tone, comment, or mood, 'ácido' means sharp, cutting, or sarcastic, suggesting it's unpleasant or critical.