núcleo
/NOO-kleh-oh/
core
The core (núcleo) of the apple is its essential center.
núcleo(noun)
core
?essential part or center
,heart
?figurative center/essence
essence
?the main idea
📝 In Action
La familia es el núcleo fundamental de la sociedad.
B1The family is the fundamental core of society.
Necesitamos entender el núcleo del problema antes de buscar soluciones.
B2We need to understand the core of the problem before looking for solutions.
El centro de la ciudad es el núcleo comercial.
B1The city center is the commercial hub (core).
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
Even though 'núcleo' ends in '-o', which usually indicates a masculine word, remember that it refers to the singular 'core' or 'center' and always takes the masculine article 'el'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'el corazón'
Mistake: "Using 'el corazón' (the physical heart) when referring to the abstract core of an issue."
Correction: Use 'el núcleo' for the essential part of a topic or group. 'El núcleo del asunto' (The core of the matter).
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Informal
'Núcleo' is a slightly formal and precise way to say 'center.' In casual speech, you might use 'el centro' or 'la parte principal' instead.
In science, the nucleus (núcleo) is the central organelle of a cell.
📝 In Action
El núcleo de la célula contiene la información genética.
B2The nucleus of the cell contains the genetic information.
En el núcleo del átomo se encuentran los protones y neutrones.
C1Protons and neutrons are found in the atomic nucleus.
⭐ Usage Tips
Specialized Term
When talking about science, 'núcleo' is the direct translation for the specialized term 'nucleus,' meaning the central control point.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: núcleo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'núcleo' in its scientific/biological sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when to use 'núcleo' versus 'centro'?
Use 'centro' when talking about a physical location (the center of the city, the center of the table). Use 'núcleo' when talking about the essential nature, the core group, or the driving force behind something (the core of the family, the nucleus of the problem). 'Núcleo' is almost always about essence, not just location.
Is 'núcleo' always masculine?
Yes, 'núcleo' is a masculine noun, so you always use 'el núcleo' or 'un núcleo,' even though the ending '-o' is sometimes shared by feminine words (like 'la mano').