ácido
/AH-see-doh/
sour
When something tastes "ácido," it is sour, like this lemon.
ácido(adjective)
sour
?taste
,acidic
?chemical property
tart
?taste
,sharp
?taste or figurative tone
📝 In Action
El limón es demasiado ácido para comerlo solo.
A1The lemon is too sour to eat by itself.
El suelo en esta zona es muy ácido, por eso no crece nada.
B1The soil in this area is very acidic; that's why nothing grows.
Hizo un comentario bastante ácido sobre mi nuevo peinado.
B2He made a quite sharp (or cutting) comment about my new hairstyle.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'ácido' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. If you are talking about a feminine noun (like 'la manzana'), use 'ácida' (la manzana ácida).
⭐ Usage Tips
Taste vs. Spoiled
Use 'ácido' for things that are naturally sour (like citrus). Use 'agrio' more often when something has gone bad or spoiled (like sour milk).
As a noun, "ácido" refers to a chemical compound, often corrosive, like the liquid in this beaker.
📝 In Action
El profesor nos enseñó las propiedades del ácido sulfúrico.
B1The professor taught us the properties of sulfuric acid.
El ácido clorhídrico es esencial para la digestión.
B1Hydrochloric acid is essential for digestion.
Necesitamos medir el nivel de ácido en la batería.
A2We need to measure the acid level in the battery.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Rule
Even though 'ácido' can end in 'a' when used as an adjective (ácida), when it is used as a noun meaning the chemical substance, it is always masculine: 'el ácido'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ácido
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'ácido' as a noun (the chemical substance)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'ácido' and 'agrio'?
'Ácido' usually refers to a natural sourness (like a lemon) or a chemical property. 'Agrio' often implies that something has gone bad or spoiled (like sour milk or bad wine), or a general unpleasant sourness.
Does 'ácido' have a figurative meaning?
Yes. When describing a tone, comment, or mood, 'ácido' means sharp, cutting, or sarcastic, suggesting it's unpleasant or critical.