Inklingo

How to Say "shaft" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pozo

POH-soh/ˈpo.so/

nounB1general
Use 'pozo' when referring to a vertical opening in the ground, such as for a mine, water, or an elevator shaft.
A view looking down into a deep, vertical mine shaft reinforced with simple wooden beams descending into darkness.

Examples

El ascensor bajó por el pozo hasta el sótano.

The elevator went down the shaft to the basement.

El pozo petrolero ha estado produciendo durante veinte años.

The oil well has been producing for twenty years.

Los mineros descendieron por el pozo principal.

The miners descended through the main shaft.

Context is Key

When talking about industry or geology, 'pozo' almost always means a vertical shaft or drilling point, not just a simple hole in the ground.

árbol

nounB2technical
Use 'árbol' when referring to a specific mechanical component, like a drive shaft or camshaft in an engine.

Examples

El mecánico revisó el árbol de transmisión del coche.

The mechanic checked the car's drive shaft.

Pozo vs. Árbol

Learners often confuse 'pozo' and 'árbol' because 'shaft' can refer to both openings and parts. Remember that 'pozo' is for vertical openings (like wells or elevator shafts), while 'árbol' is for mechanical rods.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.