How to Say "Chromosome" in Spanish

cromosoma

/kɾomoˈsoma/masculine

The English word 'chromosome' is translated into Spanish as cromosoma.

cromosoma refers to the biological structure found within the cell nucleus.

Meaning: structure in the cell nucleus (noun)

How does it change in a sentence?

To form the plural, cromosomas, add -s to the end of the word.

/kɾomoˈsoma/

The word cromosoma was borrowed from the German 'Chromosom', which was coined by H.W.G. Waldeyer in 1888.
Because cromosoma is a masculine noun, you must use masculine articles like el or los when referring to it, even if the cell it belongs to is described with feminine adjectives.
The term cromosoma is a compound of the Greek roots 'chroma' for 'color' and 'soma' for 'body', reflecting how these structures stain vividly under a microscope.

Los hombres tienen un cromosoma X y un Y, las mujeres tienen dos X.
Men have an X and Y chromosome, women, two Xs.
This sentence is useful for illustrating how to use cromosoma when discussing biological differences between sexes.
Tatoeba #1687229 by marcelostockle, translation #1686184 by darinmex
Los cromosomas son estructuras fundamentales en la genética.
Chromosomes are fundamental structures in genetics.
El número de cromosomas puede variar entre especies.
The number of chromosomes can vary among species.
Los cromosomas sexuales determinan el género de un individuo.
Sex chromosomes determine an individual's gender.
Los cromosomas autosómicos contienen información genética heredada de ambos padres.
Autosomal chromosomes contain genetic information inherited from both parents.
Cada cromosoma contiene información genética.
Each chromosome contains genetic information.
El científico estudió cada cromosoma.
The scientist studied each chromosome.

Lucía and Mateo are studying for a biology exam.

Lucía

¿Sabes qué es un cromosoma?
Do you know what a chromosome is?
Mateo

Sí, es una estructura en el núcleo.
Yes, it is a structure in the nucleus.
Lucía

Mateo, ¿puedes explicarme su función?
Mateo, can you explain its function to me?
Mateo

Claro, Lucía, transporta el ADN.
Of course, Lucía, it carries DNA.

Sources

Wiktionary, “chromosome” translations and entries cromosoma, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries cromosoma, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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