átomo
/ˈatomo/masculine
The Spanish word for atom is átomo.
In the contexts of chemistry and physics, átomo refers to the smallest possible amount of matter that retains its chemical properties.
Meaning: chemistry, physics: smallest possible amount of matter retaining its chemical properties (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of átomo is átomos.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈatomo/
Did you know?
- In Spanish poetic or hyperbolic speech, the phrase ni un átomo is used to mean 'not a single shred' of something, such as hope or doubt.
- The word átomo is a 'palabra esdrújula', a category of Spanish words that always require a written accent mark because their stress is on the third-to-last syllable.
- The word átomo shares a common ancestor with the English word 'atom' through the Greek 'átomos', meaning 'indivisible'.
Examples in context
- ¿Quién dividió primero el átomo?Who first split the atom?This sentence is useful for asking about the historical splitting of the átomo.Tatoeba #1386080 by marcelostockle, translation #680282 by Source_VOA
- Para ver un átomo necesitas un microscopio especial.To see an atom, you need a special microscope.This sentence shows that a special microscope is needed to see an átomo.Tatoeba #6616255 by arh, translation #7782718 by shekitten
- Un átomo está formado por protones, neutrones y electrones.An atom is made out of protons, neutrons and electrons.This sentence describes what an átomo is made of.Tatoeba #902004 by Shishir, translation #901779 by Scott
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are studying for a chemistry test.
- ElenaAlejandro, ¿sabes qué es un átomo?Alejandro, do you know what an atom is?
- AlejandroSí, Elena, es la unidad básica de la materia.Yes, Elena, it is the basic unit of matter.
- ElenaExacto, el átomo es muy pequeño.Exactly, the atom is very small.
- AlejandroEs verdad, no se puede ver a simple vista.That's true, it cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “atom” translations and entries átomo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries átomo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
