Inklingo

How to Say "pipe" in Spanish

English → Spanish

tubo

too-bohˈtuβo

nounA1general
Use 'tubo' for pipes related to plumbing, construction, or general hollow cylinders used to carry fluids or gases.
A single, short segment of gray metallic pipe used for plumbing connections.

Examples

Necesitamos reemplazar el tubo de agua caliente.

We need to replace the hot water pipe.

Por favor, pásame el tubo de pegamento.

Please pass me the tube of glue.

El niño miraba los peces en el tubo de cristal.

The boy watched the fish in the glass tube.

Gender Reminder

Since 'tubo' ends in -o, it is a masculine noun. Remember to use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) before it.

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake:Using 'el tubo' when you mean 'he had' (él tuvo).

Correction: Make sure you use the correct ending: 'tubo' (noun) vs. 'tuvo' (verb form of tener).

conducto

con-DOOC-tohkonˈdukto

nounB1technical
Choose 'conducto' for technical passages, especially those designed for ventilation, air flow, or electrical wiring.
A shiny silver metal ventilation duct running along a ceiling.

Examples

El aire pasa por el conducto de ventilación.

The air passes through the ventilation duct.

El cirujano operó el conducto lagrimal del paciente.

The surgeon operated on the patient's tear duct.

Los cables eléctricos van protegidos dentro de un conducto.

The electrical cables are protected inside a conduit.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in 'o', it follows the standard rule and is always 'el conducto' (masculine).

Pluralization

To talk about more than one, simply add an 's' to the end: 'los conductos'.

Conducto vs. Canal

Mistake:Using 'canal' for internal body tubes.

Correction: Use 'conducto' for biological tubes like tear ducts or ear canals; 'canal' is usually for larger paths or TV channels.

pipa

pee-pahˈpipa

nounA2general
Use 'pipa' exclusively for the smoking device used to inhale tobacco or other substances.
A classic wooden smoking pipe with a curved stem resting on a wooden table.

Examples

Mi abuelo siempre fuma en pipa después de cenar.

My grandfather always smokes a pipe after dinner.

Necesito limpiar la pipa.

I need to clean the pipe.

Gender Check

This is a 'la' word (feminine). Even though it describes an object often associated with older men in literature, the word itself is always feminine: 'la pipa'.

Confusing 'tubo' and 'conducto'

Learners often confuse 'tubo' and 'conducto'. Remember that 'tubo' is the general term, especially for plumbing, while 'conducto' is more specific to technical channels like ventilation shafts or conduits.

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