fuente
/FWEHN-teh/
fountain
The most common translation of fuente is a fountain, a public structure where water flows.
fuente(noun)
fountain
?public structure where water comes out
,spring
?natural source of water
wellspring
?literary term for a natural source
📝 In Action
Hay una fuente muy bonita en el centro de la plaza.
A1There is a very beautiful fountain in the center of the square.
El pueblo obtiene agua de una fuente natural en la montaña.
A2The town gets water from a natural spring in the mountain.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Reminder
Even though 'fuente' ends in '-e', it is feminine (la fuente). Always remember to use feminine articles and adjectives with it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Pronunciation Tip
The 'u' and 'e' form a single sound (a diphthong) in Spanish, so pronounce it as one syllable: FWEHN-teh.
Fuente can also refer to a 'source,' like the origin point of a river or stream.
fuente(noun)
source
?origin of information, wealth, or problem
origin
?the beginning place
,data set
?computing/research
📝 In Action
Necesitas citar la fuente de esta información.
B1You need to cite the source of this information.
La venta de libros es su principal fuente de ingresos.
B2Book sales are their main source of income.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'de'
When talking about the origin of something, 'fuente' is almost always followed by the preposition 'de' (of/from), e.g., 'fuente de energía' (source of energy).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'fuente' and 'origen'
Mistake: "Using 'origen' when 'fuente' is better for sustained input, like 'origen de ingresos'."
Correction: Use 'fuente de ingresos' (source of ongoing income). 'Origen' often refers to the single starting point.
In a culinary context, a fuente is a large serving dish or platter used for presenting food.
fuente(noun)
serving dish
?large plate or container for food
,platter
?flat, large serving plate
bowl
?deep container, sometimes used for soup/salad
📝 In Action
Sirve el pollo en la fuente grande, por favor.
A2Serve the chicken on the large serving dish, please.
La fuente de ensalada está casi vacía.
A2The salad bowl/platter is almost empty.
💡 Grammar Points
Context is Key
When you hear 'fuente' in a kitchen, it almost certainly means the vessel holding the food, not a water fountain!
When discussing digital media, fuente means 'font' or 'typeface,' referring to the specific design style of text.
📝 In Action
Tienes que cambiar la fuente a Arial para este documento.
B2You have to change the font to Arial for this document.
Elegir la fuente correcta afecta la legibilidad del texto.
C1Choosing the correct typeface affects the readability of the text.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the English word
Mistake: "Using 'font' when speaking Spanish (e.g., 'el font')."
Correction: Always use the Spanish word, 'la fuente'. Remember it's feminine.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: fuente
Question 1 of 2
Which English translation is NOT appropriate for 'fuente'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'fuente' means 'fountain' or 'source'?
Context is your best clue! If you are talking about parks, plazas, or nature, it means 'fountain' or 'spring' (physical water). If you are talking about income, information, or inspiration, it means 'source' (abstract origin).
Is 'fuente' ever masculine?
No. Despite ending in -e, 'fuente' is always feminine. You must say 'la fuente' and 'una fuente'.