bambú
/bamˈbu/
Bamboo in Spanish is bambú.
Bambú is the most common and widely recognized term for bamboo in Spanish.
Meaning: plant (noun)
Which one should you use?
While bambú is the standard term, you may encounter Bambusa in scientific or botanical contexts. In informal settings, someone might use cañita to refer specifically to small or thin bamboo.
How does it change in a sentence?
Bambú is a masculine noun, so it is used with the masculine article el (e.g., el bambú). The plural form of the word is bambúes.
How do you pronounce it?
/bamˈbu/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word bambú was borrowed from Portuguese, which had taken it from Malay, which originally came from the Kannada language of India.
- In Colombia, the word cañita is used not only for slender bamboo but also as a term for a very small glass of aguardiente liquor.
- The word caña is often used to describe bamboo stalks, but it can cause confusion because the same word is used for 'sugar cane' and 'fishing rod'.
Examples in context
- El cesto de la ropa es de bambú.The hamper is made of bamboo.This sentence shows how to describe an object made of bambú.Tatoeba #7916693 by arh, translation #10899556 by Luornu
- Tom le hizo una flauta de bambú a Mary.Tom made a bamboo flute for Mary.This sentence describes making an instrument out of bambú.Tatoeba #8699406 by Eremon, translation #5529451 by CK
- Este bambú es demasiado fino para soportar tanto peso.This bamboo is too thin to bear much weight.This sentence uses bambú to discuss the thickness and weight-bearing capacity of the plant.Tatoeba #1011562 by hayastan, translation #1750154 by djtait
- Me encanta la belleza natural del bambú.I love the natural beauty of bamboo.
- Los artesanos trabajan con caña para hacer hermosos muebles.Artisans work with bamboo to make beautiful furniture.
- Hicimos una hermosa cerca de jardín con unas cañitas.We made a beautiful garden fence using some small bamboo.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are walking through a botanical garden.
- Lucía¿Viste ese bambú gigante?Did you see that giant bamboo?
- AlejandroSí, es impresionante.Yes, it is impressive.
- LucíaMe encanta su color verde.I love its green color.
- AlejandroA ti también te gusta la naturaleza.You love nature too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bambú, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bambú, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
