fuelle
/ˈfweʝe/masculine
The English word 'blower' translates to Spanish as fuelle or ventilador.
Meaning: device (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| fuelle | /ˈfweʝe/ | masculine |
| ventilador | /bentilaˈdoɾ/ | masculine |
The term used depends on whether you are describing a manual device or an electric one.
Which one should you use?
Use fuelle specifically for a manual bellows used to blow air into a fire or for musical instruments. Use ventilador for an electric fan or a mechanical device that circulates air.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of fuelle is fuelles, and the plural of ventilador is ventiladores. Both nouns are masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfweʝe/
Did you know?
- The word fuelle stems from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to swell', which is why it also shares an ancestor with the English word 'bulb'.
- The term ventilador is a cognate of 'ventilator', though in English a 'ventilator' is usually a medical machine while in Spanish it is a common household fan.
- While 'blower' is a general term in English, Spanish uses soplador for leaf blowers and secador for hairdryers.
Examples in context
- Necesito un soplador nuevo para el jardín.I need a new blower for the garden.
- El fuelle de la fragua.The blacksmith's bellows.
- Enciende el ventilador.Turn on the fan.
- El fuelle es necesario para avivar el fuego.The blower is necessary to stir up the fire.
- Necesitamos un fuelle de metal para la barbacoa.We need a metal blower for the barbecue.
- Usa el fuelle para que las brasas brillen.Use the blower so the embers glow.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are camping near a dying campfire.
- Sofía¿Puedes pasarme el fuelle, Mateo?Can you pass me the blower, Mateo?
- MateoSí, aquí tienes el fuelle.Yes, here is the blower.
- SofíaGracias, el fuego se está apagando.Thanks, the fire is going out.
- MateoCon este aire volverá a arder.With this air it will burn again.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “blower” translations and entries fuelle, ventilador, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fuelle, ventilador, CC BY-SA 4.0.
