Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| restos | /ˈrestos/ | masculine, plural |
| detritus | /deˈtɾitus/ | masculine, plural, singular |
| detrito | /deˈtɾito/ | masculine |
| escombro | /esˈkombɾo/ | masculine |
All these terms refer to the scattered remains, wreckage or rubble of something destroyed, but they are used in different contexts. Restos is a general term for remains or wreckage, such as biological remains or floating pieces of debris. Escombro refers to rubble, typically from buildings or construction. Detrito is used in scientific or technical settings, such as biology or ecology, to describe organic matter or fine particles.
Which one should you use?
Use restos for general remains, wreckage or scattered pieces of something destroyed. Use escombros or escombro specifically when referring to rubble from buildings, construction or collapsed structures. Use detrito or detritus in technical, biological or ecological contexts to refer to organic matter or fine particles.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and Argentina, escombro is commonly used to refer to debris.
How does it change in a sentence?
While the plural escombros is the standard way to refer to the mass of debris from a collapsed building, the singular escombro can be used to refer to a single piece of rubble. Restos is a masculine plural noun. Detrito is a masculine singular noun, and detritus is a masculine noun that can be used in both singular and plural forms.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈrestos/
Did you know?
- A surprising linguistic coincidence is that one theory links the Spanish word escombro to the Latin word for 'mackerel', the fish. This suggests a possible connection between the word for 'fish' and the word for 'rubble'.
- While restos describes debris, it is also the standard term used to refer to 'human remains' in a funerary or archaeological context.
- In Spanish, the act of cleaning up debris is expressed by the verb escombrar, which specifically means to clear a space of hindrances.
Examples in context
- Todavía hay un hombre sepultado bajo los escombros.There's still a man buried under the debris.This sentence shows how to use escombro when referring to a man buried under rubble.Tatoeba #9432442 by Shishir, translation #9814657 by DJ_Saidez
- Los armarios estaban desbordados de escombros de varios años.The cupboards were overflowing with the accumulated debris of several years.This sentence uses escombro to describe the accumulated debris found in cupboards.Tatoeba #11980799 by Eremon, translation #1514270 by LittleBoy
- Se están usando imágenes de satélite en un intento de reducir el área del océano Índico donde se han observado restos flotantes.Satellite imagery is being used in an effort to narrow down the area in the Indian Ocean where floating debris has been observed.This sentence uses restos to describe floating debris observed in the ocean.Tatoeba #4931279 by caiser, translation #3116589 by patgfisher
- El área estaba llena de residuos luego del desastreThe area was full of debris after the disaster
- Los escombros dificultan la tarea de búsqueda y rescateThe debris hampers the search and rescue task
- Los restos del naufragio flotaban en el aguaThe debris from the shipwreck floated in the water
- Es necesario llevar los residuos a las zonas de desechos designadasIt is necessary to take the debris to the designated waste zones
- La calle estaba llena de basura después del eventoThe street was full of debris after the event
- Deja de tirar tus desperdicios en el sueloStop throwing your waste on the ground
- El patio está lleno de chatarra y objetos inserviblesThe yard is full of debris and useless objects
- Limpiemos todos estos trastos que hay en el garajeLet's clean up all this debris in the garage
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are looking at a construction site.
- Daniel¿Viste los restos de la pared vieja?Did you see the remains of the old wall?
- ElenaSí, Daniel, hay muchos restos por todas partes.Yes, Daniel, there are many remains everywhere.
- DanielTenemos que limpiar este lugar pronto.We have to clean this place soon.
- ElenaTe ayudaré a recoger todo.I will help you pick everything up.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “debris” translations and entries restos, detritus, detrito, escombro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries detrito, detritus, escombro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
