Inklingo

How to Say "volume" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “volume” is “volumen” — use 'volumen' when referring to the loudness of sound or the amount of physical space something occupies, like hair fullness or the size of an object.

English → Spanish

volumen

boh-LOO-mehnboˈlumen

nounA1general
Use 'volumen' when referring to the loudness of sound or the amount of physical space something occupies, like hair fullness or the size of an object.
A simple speaker with colorful sound waves coming out of it.

Examples

Sube el volumen de la radio, por favor.

Turn up the volume of the radio, please.

El volumen está muy bajo y no oigo nada.

The volume is very low and I can't hear anything.

Baja el volumen, que los niños están durmiendo.

Turn the volume down, the children are sleeping.

Este champú da mucho volumen al pelo.

This shampoo gives the hair a lot of volume.

The Hidden Accent

When you make this word plural, it needs a written accent mark: 'volúmenes'. This is to keep the emphasis on the same syllable when extra letters are added.

Describing Size

Use 'mucho volumen' to describe things that are bulky or fluffy, not just things that are 'big'.

Books vs. Volumes

While 'libro' is a general book, 'volumen' or 'tomo' specifically refers to one part of a larger set.

Gender Trap

Mistake: “la volumen”

Correction: el volumen (it is a masculine noun).

volumen

boh-LOO-mehnboˈlumen

nounB1general
Use 'volumen' for a single book within a larger set or series, especially when referring to a specific installment.
A simple speaker with colorful sound waves coming out of it.

Examples

He comprado el segundo volumen de la enciclopedia.

I bought the second volume of the encyclopedia.

Sube el volumen de la radio, por favor.

Turn up the volume of the radio, please.

El volumen está muy bajo y no oigo nada.

The volume is very low and I can't hear anything.

Baja el volumen, que los niños están durmiendo.

Turn the volume down, the children are sleeping.

The Hidden Accent

When you make this word plural, it needs a written accent mark: 'volúmenes'. This is to keep the emphasis on the same syllable when extra letters are added.

Describing Size

Use 'mucho volumen' to describe things that are bulky or fluffy, not just things that are 'big'.

Books vs. Volumes

While 'libro' is a general book, 'volumen' or 'tomo' specifically refers to one part of a larger set.

Gender Trap

Mistake: “la volumen”

Correction: el volumen (it is a masculine noun).

capacidad

kah-pah-see-dahdkapaˈsiðað

nounB2general
Use 'capacidad' specifically to talk about the maximum amount something can hold or contain, such as the number of people in a venue or the liters a container can store.
A transparent glass jar completely filled to the very top with small, colorful marbles, illustrating the maximum volume it can hold.

Examples

El estadio tiene una capacidad para 50,000 espectadores.

The stadium has a capacity for 50,000 spectators.

El disco duro no tiene suficiente capacidad para guardar más archivos.

The hard drive doesn't have enough capacity (storage) to save more files.

La capacidad de la batería es de 5000 miliamperios.

The battery capacity is 5000 milliamperes.

Measure Words

When discussing physical volume, 'capacidad' often pairs with numbers and units of measure, such as 'capacidad para 10 litros' (capacity for 10 liters).

tomo

TOH-mohˈto.mo

nounB1general
Use 'tomo' when referring to a single book in a series, often implying a more formal or traditional collection like an encyclopedia or a set of literary works.
Three identical, thick books standing side-by-side on a wooden shelf, representing a series. The middle book is slightly separated from the others.

Examples

La enciclopedia tiene diez tomos en total.

The encyclopedia has ten volumes in total.

Solo he leído el primer tomo de la saga.

I have only read the first volume of the saga.

El tomo final se publicará el próximo año.

The final volume will be published next year.

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'tomo' (volume) is masculine, so it uses 'el' and 'un': 'el tomo grande' (the large volume).

caudal

kow-DAHLkawˈdal

nounB2general
Use 'caudal' exclusively for the flow rate or volume of a liquid, most commonly a river or pipe, indicating the amount moving over time.
A wide, powerful river flowing steadily through a lush green valley.

Examples

Después de la tormenta, el caudal del río aumentó peligrosamente.

After the storm, the river's flow increased dangerously.

Este grifo tiene muy poco caudal de agua.

This tap has a very low water flow.

Es necesario medir el caudal para evitar inundaciones.

It is necessary to measure the volume of flow to avoid floods.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in 'l', it is a masculine noun. Always use 'el' or 'un' with it.

Confusing flow with the river itself

Mistake: “El caudal es muy largo.”

Correction: El río es muy largo (o) El caudal es muy grande.

Confusing 'Volumen' with 'Capacidad'

Learners often confuse 'volumen' (physical space/sound) with 'capacidad' (how much something can hold). Remember, 'capacidad' is about the maximum limit of what something can contain, while 'volumen' can refer to the space something takes up or its loudness.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.