Inklingo
Dictionary

esponja

es-PON-hahesˈponxa

“esponja” means “sponge” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

spongeA1Noun

cleaning tool or bath accessory

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spongeB1Noun

describing a quick learner

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fluffs upB2Verb

making something light or airy

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spongeAlso: sponge

NounfA1
A bright yellow rectangular cleaning sponge with small holes on a blue surface.

📝 In Action

Necesito una esponja nueva para lavar los platos.

A1

I need a new sponge to wash the dishes.

Las esponjas de mar son animales muy simples.

B1

Sea sponges are very simple animals.

Usa la esponja suave para no rayar la pintura.

A2

Use the soft sponge so you don't scratch the paint.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • estropajo (scouring pad)

Common Collocations

  • esponja de baño – bath sponge
  • pasar la esponja – to wipe with a sponge

sponge

NounfB1informal
A small child sitting on a rug, looking curiously at an open book with large colorful pictures.

📝 In Action

Mi sobrino es una esponja; aprende palabras nuevas cada día.

B1

My nephew is a sponge; he learns new words every day.

A esta edad, los niños son esponjas para los idiomas.

B1

At this age, children are sponges for languages.

Tienes que ser como una esponja en tu nuevo trabajo.

B2

You have to be like a sponge in your new job.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Idioms & Expressions

  • ser una esponja – To absorb information or knowledge very quickly.
  • beber como una esponja – To drink a lot of alcohol very quickly.

fluffs upAlso: softens

VerbB2regular ar
A fluffy, white pillow being gently patted by a hand to make it look soft and airy.
gerundesponjando
past Participleesponjado
infinitiveesponjar

📝 In Action

La masa se esponja después de una hora.

B2

The dough fluffs up after an hour.

¡Esponja los cojines del sofá!

B2

Fluff up the sofa cushions!

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ahuesar (to hollow out/lighten)

Antonyms

  • desinflar (to deflate)
  • aplastar (to flatten)

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoesponjara
túesponjaras
él/ella/ustedesponjara
nosotrosesponjáramos
vosotrosesponjarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesesponjaran

Present Subjunctive

yoesponje
túesponjes
él/ella/ustedesponje
nosotrosesponjemos
vosotrosesponjéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesesponjen

Indicative

Preterite

yoesponjé
túesponjaste
él/ella/ustedesponjó
nosotrosesponjamos
vosotrosesponjasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesesponjaron

Imperfect

yoesponjaba
túesponjabas
él/ella/ustedesponjaba
nosotrosesponjábamos
vosotrosesponjabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesesponjaban

Present

yoesponjo
túesponjas
él/ella/ustedesponja
nosotrosesponjamos
vosotrosesponjáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesesponjan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Vocabulary Collections

Bathroom

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "esponja" in Spanish:

fluffs upsoftenssponge

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: esponja

Question 1 of 3

If you say 'Mi hijo es una esponja', what do you mean?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
esponjoso(fluffy/spongy) — Adjective
esponjar(to fluff up) — Verb
esponjosidad(fluffiness) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes
lisonjamonja
📚 Etymology

From Latin 'spongia', which came from the Greek 'spongiá'. It has always described the porous structure of the sea animal and the cleaning tool.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: spongeFrench: épongeItalian: spugna

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'esponja' always feminine?

Yes, even if you are using it to describe a man who learns fast or drinks a lot, the word remains 'una esponja'.

Can 'esponja' be used for a mop?

No, a mop is a 'fregona' or 'trapeador'. 'Esponja' is specifically the hand-held porous tool.

Is 'esponja' slang for something?

In some countries, it's informal slang for someone who drinks a lot of alcohol ('bebe como una esponja').