tubo

too-boh

nounmA1

pipe?for plumbing or construction,tube?for containers or structure

Also:cylinder?shape or container,duct?air/ventilation

📝 In Action

Necesitamos reemplazar el tubo de agua caliente.

We need to replace the hot water pipe.

Por favor, pásame el tubo de pegamento.

Please pass me the tube of glue.

El niño miraba los peces en el tubo de cristal.

The boy watched the fish in the glass tube.

Word Connections

Synonyms

caño (pipe (often smaller))
conducto (duct, channel)

Common Collocations

tubo de ensayo – test tube
tubo de escape – exhaust pipe

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Reminder

Since 'tubo' ends in -o, it is a masculine noun. Remember to use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) before it.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: "Using 'el tubo' when you mean 'he had' (él tuvo)."

Correction: Make sure you use the correct ending: 'tubo' (noun) vs. 'tuvo' (verb form of tener).

⭐ Usage Tips

Versatile Shape

'Tubo' is used for anything long and hollow, from industrial pipes to small toothpaste containers.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: tubo

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'tubo' as a physical object?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

tubería(piping system) - noun

tener(to have) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do 'tubo' (noun) and 'tuvo' (verb) sound exactly the same?

They sound the same because the letter 'v' and the letter 'b' are pronounced identically (like an English 'b') in most Spanish dialects. While the noun is spelled 'tubo' and the verb form is spelled 'tuvo', context is key to telling them apart.

How can I remember that 'tubo' is the pipe and 'tuvo' is the verb?

A simple trick is to associate the 'b' in 'tubo' with the 'b' in 'boca' (mouth/opening), which a pipe has. The 'v' in 'tuvo' is shared with other irregular past tense verbs like 'estuve' (I was).