campana
/kahm-PAH-nah/
bell
The word campana often refers to a large bell, like one found in a church tower.
📝 In Action
La campana de la iglesia suena cada hora.
A1The church bell rings every hour.
El carillón está hecho de muchas campanas pequeñas.
B1The carillon is made of many small bells.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine Noun
Since 'campana' ends in -a, it is feminine. You must use 'la' (the) or 'una' (a) before it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Size
Mistake: "Using 'campana' for a tiny bell on a desk."
Correction: Use 'campanilla' for small, hand-held bells or desk bells. 'Campana' usually implies a larger, fixed bell.
⭐ Usage Tips
Sound vs. Object
If you are talking about the sound of a bell (like a door chime), use 'timbre.' If you are talking about the object itself, use 'campana.'
Campana can also describe a kitchen hood or extractor fan, which resembles the shape of a bell turned upside down.
campana(noun)
hood
?kitchen extractor
,bell jar
?glass cover
canopy
?bell-shaped cover
,diving bell
?underwater apparatus
📝 In Action
Instalamos una campana nueva sobre la estufa para sacar el humo.
B1We installed a new hood above the stove to extract the smoke.
El científico puso el experimento bajo una campana de cristal.
B2The scientist put the experiment under a glass bell jar.
💡 Grammar Points
Shape Connection
This meaning comes directly from the shape of a bell (wide and open at the bottom). Any object that has this characteristic shape can be called a 'campana' in technical language.
⭐ Usage Tips
Be Specific
When using this meaning, it's often helpful to add an adjective or context (like 'de cocina' or 'extractora') to clarify you mean the hood, not the musical instrument.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: campana
Question 1 of 2
Which Spanish word is used for a large bell in a church tower?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'campana' the same as 'campaña'?
No. They are very similar, but 'campana' means 'bell' or 'hood,' while 'campaña' (with the tilde/accent mark over the 'n') means 'campaign,' like a political or military drive.
How do I say 'doorbell' in Spanish?
The most common word for 'doorbell' or 'buzzer' is 'el timbre.' 'Campana' is usually too large for that context.