cal

kalkal

“cal” means “lime” in Spanish (mineral substance used in building or chemistry).

lime

Also: calcium oxide, whitewash

NounfB1

Mexico and Central America

A large, simple heap of bright white mineral lime powder, often used in construction or chemistry.

📝 In Action

Necesitamos comprar cal para pintar las paredes de la casa.

We need to buy lime to whitewash the walls of the house.

La cal se utiliza en la agricultura para mejorar la calidad del suelo.

Lime is used in agriculture to improve soil quality.

La cal viva es peligrosa y debe manipularse con cuidado.

Quicklime is dangerous and must be handled carefully.

Word Connections

Synonyms

enlucido (plaster/stucco)
lechada (grout/slurry)

Common Collocations

cal viva – quicklime (highly reactive)
cal apagada – slaked lime (less reactive)
apagar la cal – to slake the lime (mix with water)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "cal" in Spanish:

calcium oxide→lime→whitewash→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: cal

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'cal'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

caliza(limestone) — Noun

calcáreo(calcareous/chalky) — Adjective

calero(lime kiln worker) — Noun

🎵 Rhymes▼

sal mal

📚 Etymology▼

The word comes directly from the Latin word *calx*, which meant 'limestone' or 'chalk'. The meaning has remained very consistent across languages, referring to the mineral substance.

First recorded: Old Spanish (around the 13th century)

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: calceFrench: chaux

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'cal' the same as the fruit 'lime'?

No, absolutely not! In Spanish, 'cal' is only the white mineral powder (calcium oxide) used in building or chemistry. The green citrus fruit is called 'lima' (or sometimes 'limón' in parts of Latin America).

Why is 'cal' feminine if it doesn't end in -a?

'Cal' is one of the exceptions to the general rule. Many words ending in -l are masculine, but this one, like 'sal' (salt) and 'piel' (skin), is feminine. Always remember to say 'la cal'.