residuos
/rre-SEE-dwos/
waste
Residuos refers to waste or materials that are discarded, such as trash or recycling.
residuos(noun)
waste
?environmental or industrial materials to be discarded
refuse
?formal term for trash
,remains
?what is left over after a process
📝 In Action
Debemos separar los residuos orgánicos de los plásticos.
A2We must separate organic waste from plastics.
La ciudad tiene un nuevo plan para la gestión de residuos.
B1The city has a new plan for waste management.
No dejes residuos de comida en la mesa.
B1Don't leave food remains on the table.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
Even though it ends in 's', this word is masculine. Always use 'los' or 'unos' with it.
Plural vs. Singular
While you can say 'residuo' for a single bit of leftover material, we almost always use the plural 'residuos' when talking about trash or environmental issues.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Residuos vs. Basura
Mistake: "Using 'residuos' for the small kitchen bin."
Correction: Use 'basura' for everyday kitchen trash and 'residuos' for more formal, technical, or large-scale waste (like factory or city-wide waste).
⭐ Usage Tips
Sound Professional
Use 'residuos' instead of 'basura' if you want to sound more educated or environmentally conscious.
Residuos can also mean the residue or trace amounts of a substance left behind.
📝 In Action
El análisis detectó residuos de pólvora en sus manos.
B2The analysis detected gunpowder residue on his hands.
Al limpiar la herida, asegúrate de que no queden residuos.
C1When cleaning the wound, make sure no residue remains.
💡 Grammar Points
Technical Usage
In this context, it refers to small, often invisible traces left behind after something is used or removed.
⭐ Usage Tips
Science context
In chemistry, this is the specific word for the substance left in a filter or at the bottom of a container.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: residuos
Question 1 of 2
Which word is more formal and likely used in a government document about the environment?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'residuos' always plural?
Not always, but it is much more common in the plural. You use 'residuo' when talking about one specific leftover piece, and 'residuos' when talking about waste in general.
Can I use 'residuos' for food leftovers?
Technically yes, but it sounds a bit like you are talking about garbage. For food you intend to eat later, use 'sobras'.