Inklingo

How to Say "furnace" in Spanish

English → Spanish

estufa

es-TOO-fahesˈtufa

nounA2General
Use 'estufa' for a domestic heating system that warms a house, often a central heating unit.
A portable electric space heater glowing with orange warmth.

Examples

Hace mucho frío, ¿puedes prender la estufa?

It's very cold, can you turn on the heater?

Nos sentamos frente a la estufa de leña.

We sat in front of the wood-burning stove.

Esa estufa eléctrica consume mucha energía.

That electric heater uses a lot of energy.

Functional Naming

Spanish often uses the same word for different objects that provide heat. The context (kitchen vs. living room) tells you which one is meant.

Air vs. Water Heaters

Mistake:No hay agua caliente porque la estufa no funciona.

Correction: No hay agua caliente porque el calentador no funciona.

horno

OR-noˈoɾno

nounB2Technical/Industrial
Use 'horno' for an industrial device used for heating or firing, such as in brick-making or cooking large items.
A large, heavy-duty industrial furnace structure, glowing intensely with orange and yellow light radiating from its central opening.

Examples

Los ladrillos se cocieron en un gran horno de barro.

The bricks were fired in a large clay kiln.

El alto horno es la parte crucial de la siderurgia.

The blast furnace is the crucial part of steel production.

hogar

oh-GARoˈɣaɾ

nounB2Literary/Figurative
Use 'hogar' specifically for a hearth or fireplace, often evoking a sense of home or a central gathering place, especially in older or more literary contexts.
A close-up view of a stone fireplace hearth with brightly burning logs and glowing embers, emphasizing warmth and centrality.

Examples

En invierno, la familia se reunía alrededor del hogar.

In winter, the family would gather around the hearth.

El fuego en el hogar crepitaba alegremente.

The fire in the hearth crackled cheerfully.

Estufa vs. Horno

Learners often confuse 'estufa' and 'horno'. Remember that 'estufa' is primarily for home heating, while 'horno' refers to industrial heating devices or ovens. Don't use 'horno' for your home's central heating system.

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