un metal
/un metal/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase for "a metal" is un metal.
Related terms include Hierro (iron), Acero (steel), Aluminio (aluminum), Oro (gold) and Plata (silver).
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun metal is masculine, which is why it uses the masculine indefinite article un. If you want to refer to multiple metals, the plural form is los metales.
How do you pronounce it?
/un metal/
Did you know?
- The word plata for 'silver' is used in many Latin American countries as a slang term for 'money' in general.
- In Spanish, metales is the term used to categorize the brass and trumpet sections in an orchestra, known as los metales.
- The Spanish word metal traces back to the Ancient Greek word métallon, which originally meant a 'mine' or a 'quarry' rather than the material itself.
Examples in context
- El aluminio es un metal.Aluminium is a metal.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific element like aluminum as un metal.Tatoeba #2295337 by Shishir, translation #2302306 by sundown
- ¿El mercurio es verdaderamente un metal?Is mercury really a metal?This sentence is useful for asking a question about whether mercury is un metal.Tatoeba #1258806 by marcelostockle, translation #761152 by Zifre
- Nunca antes había visto un metal de ese color; seguramente sea una aleación.I've never seen a metal of that color before. It's probably an alloy.This sentence is useful for describing the appearance of un metal.Tatoeba #7962360 by Seael, translation #8300295 by GuidoW
- El hierro es un metal muy resistente.Iron is a very resistant metal.
- El acero se utiliza en la construcción.Steel is used in construction.
- El aluminio es un metal ligero.Aluminum is a lightweight metal.
- El oro es un metal precioso.Gold is a precious metal.
- La plata es un metal brillante.Silver is a shiny metal.
- Me gustaría comprar un anillo de oro.I would like to buy a gold ring.
- El avión está hecho de aluminio.The airplane is made of aluminum.
- Esta cadena de plata es muy bonita.This silver chain is very pretty.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are looking at a sculpture in a museum.
- Alejandro¿Sabes si este es un metal precioso?Do you know if this is a precious metal?
- SofíaNo estoy segura, parece un metal muy brillante.I'm not sure, it looks like a very shiny metal.
- AlejandroEs una pieza de arte increíble.It is an incredible piece of art.
- SofíaTienes razón, Alejandro, es impresionante.You're right, Alejandro, it's impressive.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries metal, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
