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árbol

/AHR-bol/

tree

A single, large, healthy green tree with a thick brown trunk and roots visible, standing on a small grassy hill.

In Spanish, árbol most commonly means 'tree,' referring to a large woody plant.

árbol(Noun)

mA1

tree

?

large woody plant

Also:

stock

?

e.g., family tree

📝 In Action

El parque está lleno de árboles viejos y grandes.

A1

The park is full of old and large trees.

Hay que podar el árbol antes de que llegue el invierno.

A2

We have to prune the tree before winter arrives.

Mi abuelo dibujó nuestro árbol genealógico en papel.

B1

My grandfather drew our family tree on paper.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • planta (plant)
  • fuste (trunk)

Common Collocations

  • subir a un árbol – to climb a tree
  • fruto del árbol – fruit of the tree
  • árbol genealógico – family tree

Idioms & Expressions

  • Árbol que nace torcido, jamás su tronco endereza. – Old habits die hard; what's learned early is hard to change.

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Rule

Even though 'árbol' ends in '-l,' it is a masculine noun. Always use 'el' (the) and 'un' (a) before it, and make any describing words (adjectives) masculine too (e.g., 'el árbol alto').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Incorrect Gender Agreement

Mistake: "La árbol es verde."

Correction: El árbol es verde. Remember to use the masculine definite article 'el'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Easy Association

Think of the masculine articles 'el' and 'un' as part of the word itself when you memorize it: 'el árbol.'

A smooth, gray, metallic cylindrical rod, representing a simple mechanical shaft, placed horizontally.

Less commonly, árbol can refer to a 'shaft,' a mechanical component used for rotation.

árbol(Noun)

mB2

shaft

?

mechanical part

,

axle

?

rotating rod

Also:

mast

?

on a ship

📝 In Action

El motor requiere la reparación del árbol de levas.

B2

The engine requires the repair of the camshaft.

El navío izó la bandera en el árbol principal.

C1

The ship raised the flag on the main mast.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • eje (axis/axle)

Common Collocations

  • árbol de levas – camshaft
  • árbol de transmisión – driveshaft

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Use

This meaning relates to the primary meaning because a shaft or mast functions as the central, vertical 'trunk' or support structure in a machine or ship.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: árbol

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses the word 'árbol'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

arboleda(grove, wooded area) - noun
arbusto(shrub, bush) - noun
arbolado(wooded) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'árbol' masculine when many Spanish nouns ending in -l are feminine?

'Árbol' is a historical exception to common rules. It maintains the masculine gender it had in Latin (*arbor* was masculine). You must always say 'el árbol' and never 'la árbol'.

How is 'árbol' different from 'arbusto'?

An 'árbol' is a large plant with a single woody trunk and a crown of leaves, while an 'arbusto' is a bush or shrub—a smaller, shorter plant with multiple woody stems coming from the ground.