asbesto
/asˈbesto/masculine
The English word asbestos is asbesto in Spanish. Wiktionary also lists amianto.
Meaning: any of several fibrous mineral forms of magnesium silicate (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| asbesto | /asˈbesto/ | masculine |
| amianto | /aˈmjanto/ /amiˈanto/ |
masculine |
In Spanish, the term refers to any of the several fibrous mineral forms of magnesium silicate.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Both asbesto and amianto are widely understood and used across Spain and Latin American countries. However, in Spain, amianto is the term most frequently used when discussing the mineral or its environmental impact.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both asbesto and amianto are masculine nouns and require masculine articles such as el or un.
How do you pronounce it?
/asˈbesto/
Did you know?
- Because both asbesto and amianto come from Greek words meaning 'indestructible' or 'unquenchable', they both carry the poetic idea of a substance that cannot be destroyed by fire.
- The term amianto is often the preferred word in Spanish legal and environmental regulations when discussing the ban on the mineral.
- Spanish speakers use the word amianto to refer to both the raw natural mineral and the processed industrial materials that contain it.
Examples in context
- En España el amianto es un enorme problema silenciado.In Spain asbestos is a huge problem that is kept secret.This sentence is useful for discussing the environmental or social impact of amianto in Spain.Tatoeba #7947899 by Seael, translation #8160612 by magnificentgoddess
- El asbesto es un material desagradable y puede causar cáncer de pulmón si se inhala el polvoAsbestos is nasty stuff, and it can cause lung cancer if you breathe in the dust.This sentence is useful for describing the health risks associated with inhaling asbesto dust.Tatoeba #1869163 by Andrezs, translation #1869162 by Andrezs
- Este material constructivo contiene amianto y debe ser manipulado con precaución.This construction material contains asbestos and should be handled with caution.
- El equipo encargado de remover el asbesto debe seguir todos los procedimientos de seguridad.The team responsible for removing asbestos must follow all safety procedures.
- El uso de asbesto en la construcción es ilegal en muchos países.The use of asbestos in construction is illegal in many countries.
- Se requiere una certificación para trabajar con amianto.A certification is required to work with asbestos
- El asbesto es peligroso para la salud.Asbestos is dangerous for your health.
Example conversation
A construction worker and an inspector discuss building materials.
- Mateo¿Ves ese material viejo en las tuberías?Do you see that old material in the pipes?
- MaríaParece que es asbesto.It looks like it is asbestos.
- MateoTengo que informar sobre este asbesto de inmediato.I have to report this asbestos immediately.
- MaríaEs lo correcto para proteger a los obreros.That is the right thing to do to protect the workers.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “asbestos” translations and entries asbesto, amianto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amianto, asbesto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
