Inklingo

alambre

ah-LAHM-breh/aˈlambɾe/

alambre means wire in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

wire

Also: metal thread
NounmA2
A single roll of shiny silver metal wire sitting on a plain surface.

📝 In Action

Necesito un trozo de alambre para arreglar la cerca.

A2

I need a piece of wire to fix the fence.

Ten cuidado con el alambre de púas.

B1

Be careful with the barbed wire.

El escultor utiliza alambre de cobre para sus obras.

B2

The sculptor uses copper wire for his works.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • filamento (filament)
  • hilo metálico (metal thread)

Common Collocations

  • alambre de púasbarbed wire
  • rollo de alambreroll of wire
  • alambre de cobrecopper wire

Idioms & Expressions

  • estar en el alambreto be in a precarious or risky situation

Alambre

Also: skewer meat
NounmB1
Mexico
A steaming plate of Mexican Alambre featuring grilled meat, peppers, onions, and melted cheese with tortillas on the side.

📝 In Action

Mesero, un alambre de res con mucho queso, por favor.

B1

Waiter, one beef 'alambre' with lots of cheese, please.

El alambre suele llevar pimiento, cebolla y tocino.

B2

The 'alambre' usually contains bell peppers, onion, and bacon.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • parrillada (grilled meat platter)

Common Collocations

  • alambre de pollochicken alambre
  • alambre mixtomixed meat alambre

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "alambre" in Spanish:

alambremetal threadskewer meatwire

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: alambre

Question 1 of 3

Which of these would you fix with an 'alambre'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
alambrar(to fence with wire)Verb
alambrado(wire fence)Noun
alambrada(barbed wire entanglement)Noun
alambrera(wire mesh / screen)Noun
🎵 Rhymes
hambreenjambrefiambre
📚 Etymology

From the Latin word 'aeramen', which referred to objects made of copper or bronze. Over time, it evolved to describe the thin metal strands we call wire today.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: arameFrench: airain (archaic for bronze)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'alambre' and 'cable'?

Think of 'alambre' as a single, stiff metal strand (like in a fence). A 'cable' is usually flexible and contains multiple wires inside an insulator, used for electricity or electronics.

Is 'alambre' used for wire hangers?

Yes! A wire hanger is called a 'gancho de alambre'.

Is the dish 'alambre' spicy?

Usually, the dish itself isn't very spicy, but it's traditionally served with spicy salsas on the side so you can choose your heat level.