pastilla de jabón
/pastiʝa de xabon/from spelling rules
The English phrase "bar of soap" is translated into Spanish as pastilla de jabón.
Use pastilla de jabón when referring to a solid piece of soap used for washing. This term is used to specifically distinguish a solid bar from jabón líquido, which is liquid soap.
What does it mean word for word?
The word pastilla literally means "pill" or "tablet", which refers to the small, solid shape of the soap in this context.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural "bars of soap", change the noun to pastillas de jabón. The phrase de jabón remains the same.
Did you know?
- The word jabón actually entered Latin from Proto-Germanic origins. This means the Spanish word for 'soap' is a distant relative of the English word 'soap'.
- While pastilla de jabón is the standard term, some regions use barra de jabón, which mirrors the English 'bar' more closely. However, pastilla remains the more common term across the Spanish-speaking world.
- If you are in a pharmacy, pastilla will almost always mean a pill, but in a supermarket, it often refers to the solid form of a product.
Examples in context
- Ella gastó la pastilla de jabón.She used up a bar of soap.This sentence is useful for showing how to describe using up a pastilla de jabón.Tatoeba #1701787 by teskmon, translation #1442121 by CM
- ¿Puedes pasarme el jabón?Can you pass me the soap?
- Necesito una pastilla de jabón nueva.I need a new bar of soap.
- La pastilla de jabón está sobre la mesa.The bar of soap is on the table.
Example conversation
In a bathroom, Maria is looking for supplies.
- María¿Dónde está la pastilla de jabón?Where is the bar of soap?
- MateoEstá cerca del lavabo, María.It is near the sink, Maria.
- MaríaGracias, Mateo. No la veo.Thanks, Mateo. I don't see it.
- MateoMira, está justo ahí.Look, it is right there.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, jabón, pastilla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
