alcalino
/alkaˈlino/
The Spanish word for alkaline is alcalino.
The term is used to describe substances having a pH greater than 7.
Meaning: having a pH greater than 7 (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, alcalino must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use the feminine form alcalina for feminine singular nouns like sustancia (substance), and the feminine plural form alcalinas for feminine plural nouns like sales (salts). Use the masculine plural form alcalinos when modifying masculine plural nouns like minerales (minerals).
How do you pronounce it?
/alkaˈlino/
Did you know?
- The suffix -ino in alcalino is derived from Latin, whereas the root alcali is Arabic, making the word a linguistic hybrid.
- The history of alcalino reflects the 'Al-Andalus' period of Spain, where Arabic scientific and chemical terminology heavily influenced the development of the Spanish language.
- In Spanish, the term alcalino is used both in chemistry and to describe the specific pH of 'agua alcalina' (alkaline water), a popular health trend in Spanish-speaking countries.
Examples in context
- La solución es alcalina. Por lo tanto, es necesario ponerse guantes de protección.The solution is alkaline, therefore, it is necessary to wear protective gloves.
- Esto es una sustancia alcalina.This is an alkaline substance.
- El pH de esto es alcalino.The pH of this is alkaline.
- Este suelo es muy alcalino.This soil is very alkaline.
- Buscamos un producto con pH alcalino.We are looking for a product with an alkaline pH.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are in a chemistry lab.
- JavierElena, ¿qué pH tiene esta solución?Elena, what pH does this solution have?
- ElenaEs un medio alcalino, Javier.It is an alkaline medium, Javier.
- JavierEntonces el indicador cambiará a azul.Then the indicator will change to blue.
- ElenaExactamente, así es como funciona.Exactly, that is how it works.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “alkaline” translations and entries alcalino, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alcalino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
