Inklingo
← Dictionary

plástico

PLAS-tee-kohˈplasti.ko

“plástico” means “plastic” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

plastic

Also: credit card
NounmA1
Spain
A simple, bright red plastic cup sitting alone on a plain white background.

📝 In Action

Necesitamos reducir nuestro consumo de plástico de un solo uso.

B1

We need to reduce our consumption of single-use plastic.

¿Aceptan pagar con plástico aquí?

A2

Do you accept payment by plastic (credit card) here?

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • bolsa de plástico – plastic bag
  • reciclar plástico – to recycle plastic

plastic, moldable

Also: artificial
A bright yellow plastic toy duck with a simple, smooth design.

📝 In Action

Compró unos vasos plásticos muy baratos.

A2

She bought some very cheap plastic cups.

La arcilla es un material muy plástico en manos de un artista.

B2

Clay is a very moldable material in the hands of an artist.

Su sonrisa parecía plástica, como si no fuera sincera.

C1

Her smile seemed artificial, as if it weren't sincere.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • cirugía plástica – plastic surgery
  • material plástico – plastic material

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "plástico" in Spanish:

moldable→plastic→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: plástico

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'plástico' as a noun meaning 'credit card'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
plasticidad(plasticity, flexibility) — Noun
plastificar(to laminate, to plasticize) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
fantásticoelástico
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Greek word *plastikós*, which means 'fit for molding or shaping.' This root perfectly captures the material's main characteristic: its ability to be easily shaped.

First recorded: 19th century (in the modern material sense)

Cognates (Related words)

English: plasticFrench: plastique

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'plástico' always masculine when used as a noun?

Yes, when referring to the material or the credit card, 'plástico' is always masculine: 'el plástico'.

How do I say 'plastic surgery'?

The correct phrase is 'cirugía plástica.' Notice that the adjective 'plástica' must be feminine to match the feminine noun 'cirugía' (surgery).