vapor
/bah-POR/
steam
Vapor can mean 'steam', like the hot gas rising from boiling water.
vapor(noun)
steam
?water in gaseous form
,vapor
?general gaseous state of a substance
mist
?light fog or atmospheric vapor
📝 In Action
El vapor que sale de la tetera está muy caliente.
A2The steam coming out of the kettle is very hot.
El aire acondicionado crea un vapor frío en la habitación.
B1The air conditioner creates a cold vapor in the room.
La olla a presión suelta mucho vapor.
A2The pressure cooker releases a lot of steam.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Check
Remember that 'vapor' is masculine, so always use 'el' (el vapor) and masculine adjectives (vapor caliente).
⭐ Usage Tips
Everyday Use
In daily conversation, 'vapor' usually refers to water steam (like from cooking), while 'gas' is often used for other chemical gases.
Another meaning of vapor is 'steamboat', a type of boat powered by steam.
vapor(noun)
steamboat
?vessel powered by steam
,steamer
?informal name for a steamship
steamship
?large vessel powered by steam
📝 In Action
El viejo vapor tardó tres días en cruzar el lago.
B1The old steamboat took three days to cross the lake.
En el siglo XIX, los vapores revolucionaron el transporte marítimo.
C1In the 19th century, steamships revolutionized maritime transport.
⭐ Usage Tips
Historical Context
When 'vapor' refers to a boat, it’s usually referencing older ships powered by steam engines, not modern vessels.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: vapor
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'vapor' to mean a type of transportation?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Es 'vapor' lo mismo que 'humo'?
No. 'Vapor' is usually invisible or white, and is water in its gaseous state (like steam from a shower). 'Humo' (smoke) is visible due to tiny particles and is the result of burning something.
How do I know if 'vapor' means steam or a boat?
The context will tell you! If it involves heat, water, or chemistry (e.g., 'caliente,' 'hervir'), it means steam. If it involves a location like a 'puerto' (port) or 'río' (river), it likely means a steamboat.