How to Say "to contaminate" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to contaminate” is “contaminar” — use 'contaminar' when referring to making something impure, dirty, or polluted, especially in environmental or physical contexts..
contaminar
/kohn-tah-mee-nahr//kontamiˈnaɾ/
Examples
Los residuos industriales contaminan el agua del río.
Industrial waste contaminates the river water.
Las fábricas contaminan el río con sus desechos.
The factories pollute the river with their waste.
El humo de los coches contamina el aire de la ciudad.
Car smoke pollutes the city air.
No debemos contaminar nuestro planeta.
We must not pollute our planet.
Using 'contaminar' with things
This word usually describes an action that makes a natural resource (air, water, land) unhealthy or dirty.
The 'by' relationship
To say something is polluted 'by' something else, use the word 'con' (with) or 'por' (by), like 'contaminado con plástico'.
Contaminar vs. Ensuciar
Mistake: “Using 'contaminar' for a dirty shirt.”
Correction: Use 'ensuciar' for simple dirt. Use 'contaminar' for harmful substances like chemicals or bacteria.
infectar
/een-fek-TAR//iɱfekˈtaɾ/
Examples
Si no limpias la herida, podría infectarse.
If you don't clean the wound, it could become infected.
Lávate la herida para que no se llegue a infectar.
Wash your wound so it doesn't get infected.
El virus puede infectar a personas de todas las edades.
The virus can infect people of all ages.
Es importante desinfectar las superficies para no infectar a los demás.
It is important to disinfect surfaces so as not to infect others.
Using the 'se' form
When a wound gets infected on its own, use 'infectarse'. Example: 'La herida se infectó' (The wound got infected).
Infecting 'with' something
Use the word 'con' to describe what is causing the infection. Example: 'Infectar con una bacteria' (To infect with bacteria).
Infectar vs. Infestar
Mistake: “La cocina está infectada de cucarachas.”
Correction: La cocina está infestada de cucarachas. Use 'infectar' for germs/viruses and 'infestar' for pests like insects or rats.
Contaminar vs. Infectar
Related Translations
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