ácido
/ˈaθido/masculine
The English word "acid" is ácido in Spanish.
In a chemistry context, ácido is a noun used to refer to an acid. It can also function as an adjective meaning "of or pertaining to an acid."
Meaning: in chemistry (noun)
Which one should you use?
When describing the taste of food, you might encounter both ácido and agrio. While ácido can be used to mean sour, agrio is the more common and specific term for food that has a sharp, unpleasant sour taste or has gone sour.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, ácido must agree with the gender of the noun it describes. For example, to describe a feminine noun, you must use the feminine form ácida, such as in la sustancia ácida (the acidic substance).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaθido/
Did you know?
- The word ácido shares a deep prehistoric root with the English word 'acute', as both originate from the Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'sharp'.
- The word ácido is considered a 'learned borrowing', meaning it was brought into Spanish by scholars from Latin rather than evolving from common spoken speech.
- In colloquial contexts, ácido is used as a shorthand for LSD, mirroring the English slang 'acid'.
Examples in context
- Hay ácido en el limón.There is acid in lemon.Tatoeba #13028681 by Eremon, translation #7794383 by sharris123
- El vinagre es un ácido.Vinegar is an acid.Tatoeba #13025229 by Eremon, translation #7733773 by CK
- El ácido no se evapora.Acid doesn't evaporate.Tatoeba #13028678 by Eremon, translation #10861347 by Amastan
- El ácido clorhídrico es una sustancia química muy corrosiva.Hydrochloric acid is a highly corrosive chemical.
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are in a chemistry lab.
- ElenaTen cuidado con ese ácido, Daniel.Be careful with that acid, Daniel.
- DanielLo sé, estoy usando guantes.I know, I am using gloves.
- Elena¿Cuál es el pH de este ácido?What is the pH of this acid?
- DanielEs un ácido muy fuerte.It is a very strong acid.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “acid” translations and entries ácido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ácido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
