agujero negro
/aɡuˌxeɾo ˈneɡɾo/masculine
The English phrase "black hole" is translated into Spanish as agujero negro. Wiktionary also lists hoyo negro.
Meaning: celestial body (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| agujero negro | /aɡuˌxeɾo ˈneɡɾo/ | masculine |
| hoyo negro | /ˌoʝo ˈneɡɾo/ | masculine |
The phrase refers to the celestial body in space. It can also be used informally to describe a situation or a place that is engulfed in darkness, confusion or uncertainty.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of agujero (hole) and negro (black).
Which one should you use?
Agujero negro is the standard scientific and formal term used to describe a black hole.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because agujero is a masculine noun, you must use the masculine indefinite article un instead of una when saying "a black hole". To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must be pluralized to agujeros negros.
How do you pronounce it?
/aɡuˌxeɾo ˈneɡɾo/
Did you know?
- The word agujero comes from aguja, meaning 'needle'. It originally described a hole made by a needle.
- Depending on the region, hoyo is more common for a hole in the ground, while agujero is preferred for a hole in a piece of fabric.
- In Spanish, agujero can be used to describe a 'gap' in a logic or a 'leak' in a budget, moving far beyond its celestial meaning.
Examples in context
- Es un hoyo negro.It is a black hole.This sentence uses hoyo negro to identify a black hole.Tatoeba #3466188 by cueyayotl, translation #1479375 by AsliAbbasi
- Hay un agujero negro en el centro de nuestra galaxia.There's a black hole at the center of our galaxy.This sentence uses agujero negro to describe a black hole at the center of a galaxy.Tatoeba #3680148 by hayastan, translation #3138100 by Hybrid
- Tom fue tragado por un agujero negro.Tom was swallowed by a black hole.This sentence uses agujero negro to describe someone being swallowed by a black hole.Tatoeba #13699736 by mervert1, translation #8905861 by maaster
- La NASA ha publicado recientemente nuevos descubrimientos sobre agujeros negros.NASA has recently published new discoveries about black holes.
- La conversación se volvió un agujero negro cuando tocamos ese tema tan delicado.The conversation turned into a black hole when we broached that delicate subject.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are looking at a science documentary together.
- JavierEse agujero negro es fascinante.That black hole is fascinating.
- ElenaSí, la luz no puede escapar de él.Yes, light cannot escape from it.
- Javier¿Es muy grande el agujero negro?Is the black hole very large?
- ElenaEs inmenso, Javier.It is immense, Javier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “black hole” translations and entries agujero negro, hoyo negro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries agujero, hoyo, negro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
