Inklingo

How to Say "gum" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “gum” is “chicle” — use 'chicle' when referring to the chewing gum you masticate..

English → Spanish

chicle

/CHEE-kleh//ˈtʃikle/

nounA1shortened version
Use 'chicle' when referring to the chewing gum you masticate.
A colorful pink bubble of chewing gum.

Examples

No puedes masticar chicle en clase.

You can't chew gum in class.

Compré un paquete de chicles de menta.

I bought a pack of mint gum.

Se me pegó un chicle en el zapato.

A piece of gum got stuck to my shoe.

Counting pieces of gum

Unlike in English where we often say 'a piece of gum,' in Spanish you can simply say 'un chicle' to mean one individual unit or piece.

Gum vs. Gums

Mistake: “Using 'chicle' to talk about the pink tissue in your mouth around your teeth.”

Correction: Use 'encía' for the tissue in your mouth. 'Chicle' is only for the candy you chew.

goma

/go-ma//ˈɡo.ma/

nounA2the sticky substance
Use 'goma' when referring to a sticky substance, like rubber bands or glue.
A thick yellow rubber band stretched around a bundle of rolled-up white papers.

Examples

Necesito una goma para atar este manojo de cables.

I need a rubber band to tie up this bundle of cables.

Se me rompió la goma del pelo.

My hair elastic broke.

Chicle vs. Goma

The most common mistake is using 'goma' for chewing gum. Remember that 'chicle' is specifically for the edible, chewable product, while 'goma' refers to other sticky, often rubbery, substances.

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