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cristal

/krees-TAHL/

glass

A simple, transparent rectangular block of smooth glass material resting on a soft surface.

Cristal refers to glass as a material.

cristal(noun)

mA1

glass

?

The material

Also:

glassware

?

Collection of glass items

📝 In Action

Esta mesa es de cristal templado, muy resistente.

A2

This table is made of tempered glass, very resistant.

El cristal se fabrica calentando arena.

B1

Glass is manufactured by heating sand.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • vidrio (glass (often cheaper/less refined))
  • transparencia (transparency)

Common Collocations

  • cristal roto – broken glass
  • copa de cristal – crystal glass/wine glass

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun Rule

As a masculine word (noun), it always uses 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) before it: 'el cristal', 'un cristal'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Cristal vs. Vidrio

Mistake: "Using 'vidrio' when referring to high-quality or fine objects."

Correction: While sometimes interchangeable, 'cristal' often implies higher quality, clarity, or elegance than 'vidrio'. Use 'cristal' for a wine glass and 'vidrio' for a jar.

⭐ Usage Tips

Usage in Context

When talking about the material something is made of, use the preposition 'de': 'Esto es de cristal' (This is made of glass).

A large, clean, rectangular window pane set into a simple frame, showing a slight reflection.

When referring to a window pane, the word is cristal.

cristal(noun)

mA2

window pane

?

The sheet of glass in a window

,

glass

?

In a door or frame

Also:

windshield

?

Automotive (less common than 'parabrisas')

📝 In Action

Debes limpiar el cristal de la ventana, está sucio.

A2

You should clean the window pane; it is dirty.

Tiró una piedra y rompió el cristal de la puerta.

B1

He threw a rock and broke the glass in the door.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ventana (window (the whole unit))
  • luna (windshield/window glass (common in some regions))

Common Collocations

  • cambiar el cristal – to change the pane/glass
  • el cristal empañado – the fogged up glass

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'El' or 'La'

Remember that the word for the material, 'cristal', is masculine ('el cristal'), even though the word for the full window, 'ventana', is feminine ('la ventana').

A single, large, cut crystal prism resting on a dark surface, catching light and showing subtle rainbow colors.

Cristal can also mean crystal, like a mineral or a decorative piece.

cristal(noun)

mB1

crystal

?

Mineral or decorative object

Also:

lens

?

In optics (e.g., watch face)

📝 In Action

El reloj tiene un cristal de zafiro muy resistente a arañazos.

B1

The watch has a sapphire crystal very resistant to scratches.

Encontraron un hermoso cristal de cuarzo en la cueva.

B2

They found a beautiful quartz crystal in the cave.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cuarzo (quartz)
  • gema (gem)

Common Collocations

  • cristal de roca – rock crystal
  • estructura de cristal – crystal structure

⭐ Usage Tips

Figurative Use

You can use 'cristal' figuratively to describe something as extremely clear or pure, similar to English: 'Todo estaba claro como el cristal' (Everything was crystal clear).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: cristal

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'cristal' to refer to a specific piece of glass, not the material itself?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

cristalino(crystalline; crystal clear) - adjective
cristalizar(to crystallize) - verb
cristalería(glassware; glass shop) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'cristal' the word I should use for eyeglasses/spectacles?

It can be, but it's more common to use the plural form, 'los cristales,' to refer specifically to the lenses. However, the most common general term for eyeglasses is 'gafas' (Spain) or 'lentes' (Latin America).

How do I say 'crystal clear' in Spanish?

You can use the adjective 'cristalino' (crystal clear) or the phrase 'claro como el cristal' (clear as glass/crystal).