How to Say "to pollute" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “to pollute” is “contaminar” — B1 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.
Examples
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.
Related Translations
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