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How to Say "mold" in Spanish

English → Spanish

molde

/MOL-deh//ˈmolde/

nounA2general
Use this word when referring to a physical object, like a container or a cast, used to give shape to something, such as cake batter, ice, or plastic.
A blue star-shaped baking mold sitting on a kitchen counter.

Examples

Engrasa el molde antes de verter la masa del pastel.

Grease the pan before pouring in the cake batter.

Usamos un molde de silicona para hacer los chocolates.

We used a silicone mold to make the chocolates.

El escultor sacó la figura de arcilla del molde.

The sculptor took the clay figure out of the cast.

Gender memory aid

Even though it ends in 'e', 'molde' is masculine. Use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el molde'.

Describing material

To say what a mold is made of, use the word 'de' (of) followed by the material: 'molde de metal' or 'molde de plástico'.

The 'La' Trap

Mistake: “La molde es pequeño.”

Correction: El molde es pequeño. Because words ending in 'e' don't have a fixed gender rule, you just have to memorize that this one is masculine.

hongo

/OHN-goh//ˈonɡo/

nounA2general
Choose this word for the fuzzy or slimy growth that appears on decaying organic matter, such as food or damp walls. It can also refer to mushrooms.
A single red mushroom with white spots growing in a patch of green grass.

Examples

Me encanta la pizza con hongos y queso.

I love pizza with mushrooms and cheese.

El doctor me recetó una crema para el hongo del pie.

The doctor prescribed a cream for the foot fungus.

No toques ese hongo en el bosque, podría ser venenoso.

Don't touch that mushroom in the forest, it could be poisonous.

Always Masculine

Even if you are talking about many different types of fungi, the word 'hongo' is always masculine. Use 'el' or 'los' with it.

Plural Form

To talk about more than one, simply add an '-s' to make 'hongos'.

Hongo vs. Champiñón

Mistake: “Using 'hongo' for every edible mushroom in Spain.”

Correction: In Spain, 'champiñón' refers to the common white button mushroom, while 'hongo' is more general or scientific.

matriz

/ma-TREES//maˈtɾis/

nounC1technical
This term is used in technical or scientific contexts, particularly in mathematics for a rectangular array of numbers, or in manufacturing and printing for a mold or matrix.
A neat grid of colorful cubes arranged in rows and columns.

Examples

Necesitamos multiplicar esta matriz por un vector.

We need to multiply this matrix by a vector.

La matriz de datos muestra las tendencias del mercado.

The data matrix shows the market trends.

El escultor preparó la matriz para el bronce.

The sculptor prepared the mold for the bronze.

Technical use

In technical contexts, 'matriz' follows the same plural rule (matrices) and is always feminine.

Shape vs. Growth

Learners often confuse 'molde' (shape-giving object) with 'hongo' (fungal growth). Remember that 'molde' is the tool you use to create a shape, while 'hongo' is the actual fuzzy or slimy substance that grows. 'Matriz' is a more specialized term for technical contexts.

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