latón
/laˈton/masculine
In Spanish, brass is latón. Wiktionary also lists azófar and alatón.
Meaning: alloy of copper and zinc (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| latón | /laˈton/ | masculine |
| azófar | /aˈθofaɾ/ /aˈsofaɾ/ |
masculine |
| alatón | /alaˈton/ | masculine |
The term latón is the standard, most common way to refer to the metal in both technical and everyday contexts.
Which one should you use?
While latón refers specifically to the alloy of copper and zinc, it is distinct from bronce (bronze), which is an alloy of copper and tin.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some areas of South America, such as Argentina and Uruguay, metal amarillo is used to describe brass.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun latón is masculine and is used with the masculine article el.
How do you pronounce it?
/laˈton/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word latón is derived from the Arabic word for 'copper alloy', which originally came from an Old Turkic word meaning 'gold'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, a brass instrument is not called a 'brass' instrument but is instead referred to as metal, as in instrumentos de metal.
- The term latón can be used colloquially in some regions to describe something of poor quality or 'cheap' material, similar to how English speakers use 'tinsel' or 'brass' to imply a fake version of gold.
Examples in context
- El latón es una aleación de cobre y zinc.Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.This sentence is useful for defining the composition of latón.Tatoeba #2188097 by marcelostockle, translation #269555 by orcrist
- La estatua está hecha de latónThe statue is made of brass
- Este instrumento musical tiene piezas de latónThis musical instrument has brass parts
- El reloj antiguo tiene manecillas de bronce amarilloThe old clock has yellow brass hands
- Estos adornos de bronce son muy valiososThese brass ornaments are very valuable
- El pomo de la puerta es de latón.The doorknob is made of brass.
- Necesito limpiar el latón de este instrumento.I need to clean the brass on this instrument.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are looking at some old decorations in a shop.
- Alejandro¿De qué material es este jarrón?What material is this vase made of?
- LucíaParece que es de latón.It looks like it is brass.
- AlejandroEl latón le da un toque muy elegante.The brass gives it a very elegant touch.
- LucíaTienes razón, es muy bonito.You are right, it is very beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brass” translations and entries latón, azófar, alatón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries azófar, latón, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
