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How to Say "glass" in Spanish

English → Spanish

vaso

/VAH-soh//ˈbaso/

nounA1general
Use 'vaso' when referring to a drinking container that does not have a stem, like a tumbler.
A single, empty, clear cylindrical drinking glass, sometimes called a tumbler, sitting on a plain surface.

Examples

Necesito un vaso limpio para el jugo.

I need a clean glass for the juice.

¿Puedes poner los vasos en la mesa, por favor?

Can you put the glasses on the table, please?

It's Masculine

Remember that 'vaso' is a masculine word, so you always use 'el vaso' or 'un vaso'.

Vaso vs. Copa

Mistake: “Using 'vaso' for a wine glass.”

Correction: Use 'vaso' for a regular drinking glass (like for water or soda) and 'copa' for a stemmed glass (like for wine or champagne).

copa

KOH-pah/ˈko.pa/

nounA1general
Use 'copa' for a stemmed drinking vessel, such as a wine glass or champagne flute.
A clear, empty wine glass with a long stem standing on a flat surface.

Examples

Por favor, sírveme agua en esta copa, no en el vaso.

Please serve me water in this stemmed glass, not in the regular tumbler.

Ella rompió una copa de cristal por accidente.

She accidentally broke a crystal glass.

Gender Check

Remember that 'copa' is always feminine, so you must use 'la copa' or 'una copa', even though it ends in 'a'.

vidrio

VEE-dree-oh/ˈbiðɾjo/

nounA1general
Use 'vidrio' when referring to the material glass, especially for flat surfaces like tabletops or windows.
A transparent, empty drinking glass tumbler resting on a solid surface, emphasizing the clear material.

Examples

Esta mesa tiene una cubierta de vidrio.

This table has a glass top.

Recuerda tirar las botellas de vidrio al contenedor azul para reciclaje.

Remember to throw glass bottles into the blue recycling bin.

Ten cuidado con el vidrio roto en el suelo.

Be careful with the broken glass on the floor.

Use of 'De' for Materials

To say what something is made of, use 'de' (of/from). For example: 'un vaso de vidrio' (a glass cup) or 'una pared de madera' (a wooden wall).

Vidrio vs. Vaso

Mistake: “Using 'vidrio' when referring to a drinking cup.”

Correction: Use 'vaso' for the object you drink from ('a glass of water'). 'Vidrio' is the material it's made of (glass).

cristal

krees-TAHL/krisˈtal/

nounA1general
Use 'cristal' to refer to the material glass, often implying higher quality, or specifically for the pane in a window or door.
A simple, transparent rectangular block of smooth glass material resting on a soft surface.

Examples

Debes limpiar el cristal de la ventana, está sucio.

You should clean the window pane; it is dirty.

Esta mesa es de cristal templado, muy resistente.

This table is made of tempered glass, very resistant.

El cristal se fabrica calentando arena.

Glass is manufactured by heating sand.

Tiró una piedra y rompió el cristal de la puerta.

He threw a rock and broke the glass in the door.

Masculine Noun Rule

As a masculine word (noun), it always uses 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) before it: 'el cristal', 'un cristal'.

Using 'El' or 'La'

Remember that the word for the material, 'cristal', is masculine ('el cristal'), even though the word for the full window, 'ventana', is feminine ('la ventana').

Cristal vs. Vidrio

Mistake: “Using 'vidrio' when referring to high-quality or fine objects.”

Correction: While sometimes interchangeable, 'cristal' often implies higher quality, clarity, or elegance than 'vidrio'. Use 'cristal' for a wine glass and 'vidrio' for a jar.

Material vs. Vessel

The most common confusion for learners is between 'vaso'/'copa' (drinking vessels) and 'vidrio'/'cristal' (the material). Remember that 'vaso' is for stemmed glasses, 'copa' for unstemmed ones, and 'vidrio'/'cristal' refer to the substance glass is made from.

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