How to Say "bulb" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “bulb” is “bombilla” — use this word for the common glass electrical component that produces light when electricity passes through it..
bombilla
/bom-BEE-yah//bomˈbiʝa/
Examples
La bombilla de la sala se ha fundido.
The light bulb in the living room has burned out.
Tengo que cambiar la bombilla de la cocina.
I have to change the light bulb in the kitchen.
Esta bombilla de bajo consumo ahorra mucha energía.
This energy-saving bulb saves a lot of energy.
La bombilla se fundió anoche y ahora estamos a oscuras.
The light bulb burned out last night and now we are in the dark.
Always Feminine
Even though it refers to an object that produces light (luz), the word itself is always feminine: 'la bombilla' or 'una bombilla'.
Describing Power
When talking about how bright a bulb is, use the word 'vatios' (watts), like 'una bombilla de sesenta vatios'.
Confusing with 'bomba'
Mistake: “Voy a comprar una bomba para la lámpara.”
Correction: Voy a comprar una bombilla para la lámpara. A 'bomba' is a bomb or a pump, not a light bulb!
foco
/FOH-koh//ˈfoko/
Examples
Necesito cambiar el foco de la lámpara de escritorio.
I need to change the light bulb of the desk lamp.
Necesito comprar un foco nuevo para la lámpara de mi cuarto.
I need to buy a new light bulb for my bedroom lamp.
El foco de la cocina se fundió ayer.
The kitchen light bulb burned out yesterday.
Es mejor usar focos ahorradores para gastar menos luz.
It's better to use energy-saving bulbs to use less electricity.
Always Masculine
The word 'foco' is always masculine, so you always use 'el' or 'un' with it, even if you are talking about a small lamp.
Light vs. Bulb
Mistake: “Apaga el foco (to mean 'turn off the light').”
Correction: While often used colloquially, 'Apaga la luz' is more general for turning off the lights in a room.
cebolla
/seh-BOH-yah//seˈβoʝa/
Examples
Pica una cebolla para la sopa.
Chop an onion for the soup.
Siempre lloro cuando pico cebolla.
I always cry when I chop onion.
¿Prefieres la tortilla de patatas con o sin cebolla?
Do you prefer Spanish omelet with or without onion?
Plantamos las cebollas de los tulipanes en otoño.
We planted the tulip bulbs in autumn.
Gender and Articles
Cebolla is a feminine word, so you should always use 'la' or 'una' with it.
Spelling confusion
Mistake: “sebolla”
Correction: cebolla (it always starts with a 'c')
pera
/PEH-rah//ˈpeɾa/
Examples
El boxeador practicó con la pera durante una hora.
The boxer practiced with the speed bag for an hour.
El boxeador entrena cada mañana con la pera.
The boxer trains every morning with the speed bag.
La pera de la lámpara se ha roto.
The lamp's pull-switch is broken.
Usa la pera de goma para limpiar el polvo de la cámara.
Use the rubber bulb to clean the dust off the camera.
Shape-Based Naming
Spanish often uses the name of a fruit to describe objects that share its shape. This is why a speed bag is called a 'pera'.
Confusion with Lightbulbs
Mistake: “Tengo que comprar una pera para la luz.”
Correction: Tengo que comprar una bombilla. While 'pera' refers to the shape, the actual lightbulb is almost always called a 'bombilla'.
Light Bulbs vs. Onions
Related Translations
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