carbón
/kaɾˈbon/masculine
Charcoal in Spanish is carbón. It is also spelled erraj. Wiktionary also lists herraj and piñuelo.
Meaning: substance (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| carbón | /kaɾˈbon/ | masculine |
| herraj | /eˈrax/ | masculine |
| erraj | /eˈrax/ | masculine, alternative form |
| piñuelo | /piɲwelo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The word carbón is the standard term for both charcoal and coal. In specific contexts like geology or industry, it refers to coal, whereas in art or cooking, it refers to charcoal. To specifically distinguish charcoal (made from wood) from mineral coal, the term carbón vegetal is often used. When referring to the art medium, carbón is used, often specified as carbón vegetal or carbón de dibujo to avoid confusion with fuel coal.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaɾˈbon/
Did you know?
- The word carbón shares a common ancestor with the English word 'char' and the Latin root for 'keratin', which is the protein found in our hair and nails.
- The phrase carbón can be used metaphorically in some regions to describe someone who is very dark-skinned or has a deep tan.
- Spanish distinguishes between the natural mineral coal and the man-made carbón vegetal using the word 'vegetal', which means 'plant-based' rather than 'vegetable'.
Examples in context
- La madera y el carbón son buenos combustibles.Wood and charcoal are good fuels.Tatoeba #5035123 by albrusgher, translation #10833034 by SillyDonut7
- El dibujo del artista fue hecho en carbón.The artist's drawing was drawn with charcoal.Tatoeba #4641728 by mervert1, translation #3502629 by DostKaplan
- ¿Lo encuentras imposible que se ponga negro como el carbón el cielo?Do you think it impossible for the sky to turn charcoal black?Tatoeba #4309261 by mervert1, translation #4309021 by mervert1
- Disculpe, ¿dónde puedo encontrar carbón para la parrilla?Excuse me, where can I find charcoal for the grill?
- ¿Dónde puedo encontrar leña o carbón para la parrilla?Where can I find firewood or charcoal for the grill?
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are preparing a barbecue in the garden.
- DanielLucía, ¿compraste el carbón para la parrilla?Lucía, did you buy the charcoal for the grill?
- LucíaSí, Daniel, compré una bolsa grande ayer.Yes, Daniel, I bought a large bag yesterday.
- DanielPerfecto, voy a encender el carbón ahora.Perfect, I am going to light the charcoal now.
- LucíaEstá bien, yo preparo la carne.All right, I'll prepare the meat.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “charcoal” translations and entries carbón, herraj, erraj, 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 carbón, herraj, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
