carbono

kar-BOH-noh

carbon?the chemical element

Also:carbon-14?referring to radiocarbon dating

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El diamante es una forma de carbono puro.

Diamond is a form of pure carbon.

Debemos reducir nuestra huella de carbono para proteger el planeta.

We must reduce our carbon footprint to protect the planet.

El carbono es la base de toda la vida en la Tierra.

Carbon is the basis of all life on Earth.

Since it ends in -o, it is a masculine noun. You should always use 'el' or 'un' with it.

Mistake: "Using 'carbono' when you mean 'coal'."

Correction: Use 'carbono' for the chemical element or environmental topics, and 'carbón' for the black rock used as fuel or for a BBQ.

In modern Spanish, you will hear 'carbono' most often in conversations about climate change, specifically 'huella de carbono' (carbon footprint).

Question 1 of 1

If you are talking about the fuel you use for a barbecue, which word should you use?

carbón(coal / charcoal) - noun

carbonizar(to carbonize / to char) - verb

carbonato(carbonate) - noun

Is 'carbono' used for 'carbon copy'?

Not exactly. In Spanish, 'carbon copy' is usually 'copia al carbón' or 'papel carbón', using the word 'carbón' instead of 'carbono'.