How to Say "speck" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “speck” is “partícula” — use this word when referring to a tiny physical piece of something, like dust, dirt, or a small fragment..
English → Spanish
partícula
nounB1general
Use this word when referring to a tiny physical piece of something, like dust, dirt, or a small fragment.
Examples
Había muchas partículas de polvo flotando en el aire.
There were many dust particles floating in the air.
átomo
nounC1figurative
Use this word figuratively to mean an extremely small amount or trace of an abstract quality, like decency or sense.
Examples
Ese hombre no tiene ni un átomo de decencia.
That man doesn't have a shred of decency.
Physical vs. Abstract 'Specks'
The most common mistake is using 'partícula' for abstract concepts or 'átomo' for physical objects. Remember, 'partícula' is for tiny physical bits, while 'átomo' is for a minuscule amount of something non-physical.
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.