Inklingo

How to Say "specimen" in Spanish

English → Spanish

muestra

MOO-ehs-trahˈmwestra

nounA1general
Use 'muestra' when referring to a sample taken for medical or scientific analysis, like a blood sample or a food sample.
A close-up of a hand holding a tiny, clear plastic cup filled with a small portion of brightly colored blue liquid, representing a sample.

Examples

¿Podría darme una muestra del queso?

Could you give me a sample of the cheese?

El doctor pidió una muestra de orina.

The doctor requested a urine specimen.

La exposición es una muestra del arte moderno.

The exhibition is a display of modern art.

Gender Tip

Remember that muestra is always feminine: la muestra. This is essential for pairing it with the correct articles and adjectives.

ejemplar

eh-hem-PLARexemˈplaɾ

nounB1general
Use 'ejemplar' when referring to a single item or copy of something, especially a book, a work of art, or an individual organism within a species.
A single hardcover book resting on a wooden table.

Examples

He comprado un ejemplar de su nueva novela.

I have bought a copy of his new novel.

Solo quedan tres ejemplares en toda la biblioteca.

There are only three copies left in the whole library.

Vimos un ejemplar de lince ibérico en el bosque.

We saw a specimen of the Iberian lynx in the woods.

Always Masculine

Even if the book title is feminine, the word 'ejemplar' is always masculine: 'el ejemplar'.

Ejemplar vs. Ejemplo

Mistake: “Este es un buen ejemplar de por qué estudiar.”

Correction: Este es un buen ejemplo... Use 'ejemplo' for the abstract concept of an example, and 'ejemplar' for a physical copy or object.

cultivo

kool-TEE-bohkulˈti.βo

nounB2scientific/medical
Use 'cultivo' specifically for a biological sample that has been grown or cultivated for study, such as a bacterial culture.
A petri dish containing colorful circular patterns representing biological growth.

Examples

El médico pidió un cultivo de bacterias.

The doctor ordered a bacterial culture.

Los resultados del cultivo estarán listos mañana.

The culture results will be ready tomorrow.

Pusieron la muestra en un medio de cultivo.

They placed the sample in a culture medium.

Scientific Context

In this context, 'cultivo' works exactly like 'culture' does in an English biology lab.

General Sample vs. Specific Culture

Learners often confuse 'muestra' and 'cultivo'. Remember that 'muestra' is a general term for any sample, while 'cultivo' refers specifically to a sample that has been grown or cultivated in a lab setting for analysis.

Related Translations

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