químico
/KEE-mee-koh/
chemical
A scientist working on something chemical.
químico(adjective)
chemical
?describing something related to the science of chemistry
chemist
?rarely used as an adjective to describe someone's profession
📝 In Action
Hubo una reacción química en el laboratorio.
A2There was a chemical reaction in the laboratory.
El proceso químico es muy complejo.
B1The chemical process is very complex.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Agreement
This word must match the gender of the noun it describes. Use 'químico' for masculine things and 'química' for feminine things like 'la reacción química'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't forget the accent
Mistake: "quimico"
Correction: químico (with an accent on the first 'i')
⭐ Usage Tips
Artificial vs. Natural
In daily conversation, Spanish speakers often use 'químico' to imply something is artificial or contains additives, much like 'chemical' in English.
A bottle containing a specific chemical.
químico(noun)
chemical
?a substance produced by chemistry
,chemist
?a male professional who studies or works in chemistry
📝 In Action
Este jabón no contiene químicos fuertes.
B1This soap does not contain harsh chemicals.
Mi hermano es químico y trabaja en una farmacéutica.
B1My brother is a chemist and works at a pharmaceutical company.
💡 Grammar Points
Professional Nouns
When referring to a person, 'el químico' is a male chemist. A female chemist is 'la química'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Substance vs. Person
Context usually makes it clear whether you are talking about a bottle of chemicals or the person working in the lab!
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: químico
Question 1 of 2
How would you say 'a chemical reaction' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'químico' and 'química'?
'Químico' is the masculine form used for men or masculine objects. 'Química' is the feminine form, and it is also the name of the science itself (Chemistry).
Do I need the accent on 'químico'?
Yes! Without the accent, the pronunciation would change. The accent on the 'i' tells you to emphasize the first syllable: KEE-mee-koh.