fondo
/ˈfondo/masculine
In Spanish, bottom can be translated as fondo. If unsure, use fondo. Wiktionary also lists solera and parte de abajo.
Meaning: lowest part (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| fondo | /ˈfondo/ | masculine |
| solera | /soˈleɾa/ | feminine |
| parte de abajo | /paɾte de abaxo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term fondo refers to the bottom of a container, a bag, a drawer, a body of water like the sea or the deepest part of a space.
Which one should you use?
Use fondo when referring to the bottom of a container, a body of water or the deepest part of a space. Use parte de abajo when referring to the lower part of an object or a physical position relative to something else.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun fondo requires the article el to say "the bottom" (el fondo).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfondo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use fondo to refer to a person's buttocks. Use other anatomical terms instead.
Did you know?
- While fondo means 'bottom', it is also used in the phrase al fondo to mean 'at the end of' a hallway or street.
- The word fondo is a phonetic double of hondo, which means 'deep'. While hondo evolved to follow standard Spanish sound changes, fondo kept its initial 'f' to help speakers distinguish the noun from the adjective.
- In the context of sherry or aged spirits, solera refers to the bottom row of casks in a stacking system where the oldest wine is kept.
Examples in context
- El bote se hundió hasta el fondo.The boat sank to the bottom.This sentence shows the use of fondo regarding a boat sinking.Tatoeba #2085755 by marcelostockle, translation #273466 by CS
- Tom duerme en la litera del fondo.Tom sleeps on the bottom bunk.This sentence shows the use of fondo regarding a bunk bed.Tatoeba #4929328 by albrusgher, translation #2738896 by CK
- Lo encontraron en el fondo del río.It was found at the bottom of the river.This sentence shows the use of fondo regarding the bottom of a river.Tatoeba #1634621 by marcelostockle, translation #42542 by CK
- El agua está en el fondo del vasoThe water is at the bottom of the glass
- Por favor, firme en la parte inferior del formularioPlease sign at the bottom of the form
- La niña cayó sobre su traseroThe girl fell on her bottom
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are looking for a key in a deep bag.
- LucíaNo encuentro la llave en el bolso.I can't find the key in the bag.
- JavierBusca bien en el fondo.Look carefully at the bottom.
- Lucía¡Aquí está! Estaba en el fondo.Here it is! It was at the bottom.
- JavierMenos mal que la encontramos.Thank goodness we found it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bottom” translations and entries fondo, solera, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abajo, de, fondo, parte, solera, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
