sintético
“sintético” means “synthetic” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
synthetic, man-made
Also: artificial
📝 In Action
Prefiero las telas naturales a los tejidos sintéticos.
B1I prefer natural fabrics over synthetic textiles.
Este aceite sintético es mejor para el motor de tu coche.
B1This synthetic oil is better for your car's engine.
La alfombra está hecha de material sintético.
B2The carpet is made of man-made material.
concise, brief
Also: succinct
📝 In Action
Su presentación fue muy sintética y clara.
B2His presentation was very concise and clear.
Necesito un informe sintético de lo que pasó ayer.
C1I need a brief report of what happened yesterday.
Tiene una mente sintética que puede resumir problemas complejos.
C2She has a concise mind that can summarize complex problems.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: sintético
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is a 'fibra sintética'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Greek word 'synthetikos', which describes something 'skilled in putting things together' or 'composed'. It entered Spanish through Latin.
First recorded: 18th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'sintético' mean 'sympathetic'?
No! This is a common mistake. 'Sympathetic' is 'compasivo' or 'solidario' in Spanish. 'Sintético' means man-made or concise.
Can I use 'sintético' to describe a person?
Usually no. You would only use it to describe their style of speaking or writing (e.g., 'es muy sintético al hablar' - he is very concise when speaking).
What is the difference between 'artificial' and 'sintético'?
They are very similar! However, 'sintético' specifically implies something created by chemical synthesis (like plastic or polyester), while 'artificial' is a broader term for anything not natural.