vidrio

VEE-dree-ohˈbiðɾjo

“vidrio” means “glass” in Spanish (the material).

glass

Also: pane of glass, glassware

NounmA1

Mexico

A transparent, empty drinking glass tumbler resting on a solid surface, emphasizing the clear material.

📝 In Action

Esta mesa tiene una cubierta de vidrio.

This table has a glass top.

Recuerda tirar las botellas de vidrio al contenedor azul para reciclaje.

Remember to throw glass bottles into the blue recycling bin.

Ten cuidado con el vidrio roto en el suelo.

Be careful with the broken glass on the floor.

Word Connections

Synonyms

cristal (crystal, glass (often high quality))

Common Collocations

vidrio templado – tempered glass
vidrio esmerilado – frosted glass
romper el vidrio – to break the glass

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "vidrio" in Spanish:

glass→glassware→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: vidrio

Question 1 of 2

Which Spanish word would you use if you asked a waiter for 'a glass of water'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

vaso(drinking glass, cup) — Noun

vidriera(stained glass window, shop window) — Noun

vidriero(glazier (person who installs glass)) — Noun

🎵 Rhymes▼

fríorío

📚 Etymology▼

The word comes directly from the Latin word *vitrum*, which also meant 'glass'. This shows how the word has been used to describe this transparent material for thousands of years.

First recorded: Ancient Roman times (via Latin)

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: vetroPortuguese: vidro

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'vidrio' countable or uncountable?

It can be both! When talking about the material generally (like 'glass is recyclable'), it's uncountable. When referring to a specific piece or pane (like 'I bought two pieces of glass'), it can be treated as countable, though it often remains singular ('dos vidrios').

How is 'vidrio' different from 'cristal'?

'Vidrio' is the standard, general word for manufactured glass. 'Cristal' can mean crystal (like quartz) or is often used to refer to very clear, high-quality glass, sometimes implying a higher quality product.