How to Say "factory" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “factory” is “fábrica” — use 'fábrica' when referring to a general industrial building where goods are manufactured; it's the most common and widely understood term..
English → Spanish
fábrica
nounA1general
Use 'fábrica' when referring to a general industrial building where goods are manufactured; it's the most common and widely understood term.
Examples
Mi tío trabaja en una fábrica de coches muy grande.
My uncle works in a very large car factory.
planta
PLAN-tah/ˈplan.ta/
nounB2formal, technical
Use 'planta' for a large industrial facility or complex, often implying a specific type of industry or a more technical/business context, like a 'plant' in English.
Examples
La planta automotriz cerrará temporalmente por mantenimiento.
The automotive plant will close temporarily for maintenance.
Trabajan en una planta que produce componentes electrónicos.
They work at a factory that produces electronic components.
Context is Key
When talking about business or industry, 'planta' almost always means a manufacturing site, not a potted plant.
Fábrica vs. Planta
Learners often mistakenly use 'planta' for any factory. Remember that 'fábrica' is the default and most common word. Reserve 'planta' for larger, specific industrial sites, especially when discussing them in a business or technical setting.
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.