combustible
/kohm-boos-TEE-bleh/
fuel
This stacked firewood represents combustible (fuel), material used to create energy.
combustible(noun)
fuel
?material for energy
gasoline
?common usage for car fuel
,propellant
?rocket fuel
📝 In Action
El precio del combustible ha subido mucho este mes.
A2The price of fuel has gone up a lot this month.
El avión tiene suficiente combustible para cruzar el océano.
A2The plane has enough fuel to cross the ocean.
La madera es un combustible natural muy usado en las chimeneas.
B1Wood is a natural fuel widely used in fireplaces.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
Even though it ends in '-e', 'combustible' when used as a noun (fuel) is always masculine: 'el combustible'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use for Energy Sources
Use this word generally for any material burned or consumed to create heat or power, like gas, wood, or diesel.
The matchstick is combustible, meaning it is able to burn readily.
combustible(adjective)
combustible
?able to burn
flammable
?catches fire easily
,burnable
?general term
📝 In Action
La etiqueta dice que el líquido es altamente combustible.
B1The label says the liquid is highly combustible (flammable).
Los materiales no combustibles deben guardarse por separado.
B2Non-combustible materials must be stored separately.
💡 Grammar Points
Invariable Adjective
As an adjective, 'combustible' is invariable. It ends in '-e' and stays the same whether describing a masculine or feminine noun: 'el gas combustible' or 'la madera combustible'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Combustible' and 'Inflamable'
Mistake: "Sometimes learners think 'combustible' means 'non-flammable' because of the English prefix 'in-'."
Correction: In Spanish, both 'combustible' and 'inflamable' mean the substance burns easily. The opposite is 'incombustible'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: combustible
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'combustible' as an adjective?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'combustible' refer only to gasoline?
No. While it's often used when talking about car gas, 'combustible' is a general term for any material used to create energy through burning, including wood, natural gas, diesel, and kerosene.
How is 'combustible' different from 'inflamable'?
They mean almost the same thing! Both words describe something that catches fire easily. 'Combustible' is slightly more general (describing the material itself), while 'inflamable' emphasizes the ease of ignition. In warning signs, both are often used.