carbón
/kaɾˈbon/masculine
The English word coal is carbón in Spanish. Wiktionary also lists hulla.
Meaning: uncountable: carbon rock (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| carbón | /kaɾˈbon/ | masculine |
| hulla | /ˈuʝa/ | feminine |
The word refers to the carbon rock. If you are referring specifically to charcoal used for cooking or art, you should use the phrase carbón vegetal.
Which one should you use?
carbón is the general term for coal, whereas hulla specifically refers to hard coal or bituminous coal.
How does it change in a sentence?
carbón is a masculine noun, while hulla is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaɾˈbon/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the phrase copiar al carbón refers to making a carbon copy. This describes the old process of using carbon paper to duplicate documents.
- While carbón is used for both fuel and art, the specific term for a charcoal drawing is un carboncillo. The diminutive suffix changes the meaning from the material to the art form.
- The word hulla sounds quite different from its English relative 'coal', as it was borrowed from the French word 'houille' rather than the Latin root.
Examples in context
- Hemos agotado el carbón.We have used up the coal.This sentence shows how to express that a supply of carbón has been depleted.Tatoeba #1132957 by marcelostockle, translation #248962 by CK
- El carbón está ardiendo.The coal is burning.This sentence describes carbón in the process of burning.Tatoeba #5035140 by albrusgher, translation #272235 by CK
- Yo era minero del carbón.I used to be a coal miner.This sentence uses carbón in the context of a coal miner.Tatoeba #10124842 by manufrutos, translation #5860534 by CK
- El carbón es utilizado como una fuente de energía en muchas industrias.Coal is used as an energy source in many industries.
- La antracita es un tipo de carbón de alta calidad, utilizado principalmente en la producción de acero.Anthracite is a type of high-quality coal, used mainly in steel production.
- La hulla es un carbón mineral con un alto contenido de carbono fijo.Bituminous coal is a mineral coal with a high fixed carbon content.
- ¿Podrías hacer una parrillada con carbón vegetal?Could you make a barbecue with charcoal?
- En algunas regiones de España, se utilizan hornos de lignito para la calefacción.In some regions of Spain, lignite furnaces are used for heating.
- En México, el carbón mineral es ampliamente utilizado en la generación de energía eléctrica.In Mexico, mineral coal is widely used in electricity generation.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A construction site where a worker is asking about fuel.
- Alejandro¿Trajeron el carbón para la caldera?Did they bring the coal for the boiler?
- MaríaSí, el carbón llegó esta mañana.Yes, the coal arrived this morning.
- AlejandroPerfecto, necesito mover el carbón ahora.Perfect, I need to move the coal now.
- MaríaTen cuidado con el polvo de carbón.Be careful with the coal dust.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “coal” translations and entries carbón, hulla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries carbón, hulla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
