Inklingo

How to Say "lamp" in Spanish

English → Spanish

lámpara

nounA1general
Use 'lámpara' for a general lighting device, such as a table lamp, floor lamp, or desk lamp.

Examples

Necesito una lámpara de escritorio para estudiar.

I need a desk lamp to study.

luz

looseluθ

nounA1general
Use 'luz' to refer to light itself, or a general source of illumination, like natural light or the light from a bulb.
A bright glowing sun shining in a clear blue sky above a green field.

Examples

Apaga la luz cuando salgas de la habitación.

Turn off the light when you leave the room.

Me gusta leer con la luz natural de la ventana.

I like reading with the natural light from the window.

Por favor, apaga la luz antes de salir.

Please, turn off the light before leaving.

Tus palabras me dieron mucha luz sobre el problema.

Your words gave me a lot of clarity regarding the problem.

Changing Z to C

In Spanish, words ending in 'z' change to 'ces' when they become plural. So, one 'luz' becomes many 'luces'.

Feminine Gender

Even though it doesn't end in 'a', 'luz' is feminine. You should always use 'la' or 'una' with it.

The 'Luz' Gender Trap

Mistake: “El luz es brillante.”

Correction: La luz es brillante. Because 'luz' is feminine, the article and adjectives must match it.

farol

fah-ROHLfaˈɾol

nounA2specific
Use 'farol' specifically for an outdoor lamp, like a streetlamp, or a portable lantern used for camping or in emergencies.
A classic metal lantern with a glowing candle inside, sitting on a wooden table.

Examples

El farol de la calle estaba roto.

The streetlamp was broken.

Llevábamos un farol para iluminar el camino del bosque.

We carried a lantern to light the forest path.

Los faroles del casco antiguo son muy románticos.

The streetlights in the old town are very romantic.

Colgaron faroles de papel de colores para la fiesta.

They hung colored paper lanterns for the party.

Making it Plural

Since this word ends in a consonant (l), you must add -es to make it plural: 'los faroles'.

Gender Consistency

Even though it doesn't end in 'o', it is a masculine word. Always use 'el' or 'un' with it.

Farol vs. Farola

Mistake: “Using 'el farol' for a tall modern street post.”

Correction: Use 'la farola' for tall streetlights and 'el farol' for smaller, decorative, or portable lanterns.

Confusing 'luz' and 'lámpara'

Learners often confuse 'luz' (light) with 'lámpara' (lamp). Remember that 'lámpara' refers to the object that produces light, while 'luz' refers to the light itself or the general concept of illumination.

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