drenaje
/dɾeˈnaxe/masculine
The English word 'drainage' is translated into Spanish as drenaje. Wiktionary also lists desagüe.
Meaning: removal of fluid (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| drenaje | /dɾeˈnaxe/ | masculine |
| desagüe | /deˈsaɡwe/ |
The term is used to describe the removal of fluid from a system or a body.
Which one should you use?
drenaje is used when referring to a medical or technical process of draining fluid. In contrast, desagüe refers to the physical structure, such as a pipe, outlet or drain, through which water flows.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the word escurrimiento is used for drainage.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of desagüe is desagües. The diaeresis (ü) is maintained to indicate that the 'u' is pronounced.
How do you pronounce it?
/dɾeˈnaxe/
Did you know?
- The word drenaje is a double loanword, having been borrowed into Spanish from French, which had previously borrowed it from English.
- When a drain is blocked in many Spanish-speaking countries, people do not say it is 'obstruido', but rather use the word tapado, which literally means 'covered'.
- The term desagüe can be used figuratively in Spanish to describe a 'drain' on a person's energy or a company's resources.
Examples in context
- El drenaje está tapado.The drainage is blocked.This sentence is useful for describing a blocked drenaje.Tatoeba #4513090 by cueyayotl, translation #10611105 by sangelo
- El municipio está invirtiendo en un sistema de drenaje más eficiente.The municipality is investing in a more efficient drainage system.
- Necesitamos reparar el desagüe del fregadero de la cocina.We need to fix the kitchen sink's drainage.
- La lluvia ha obstruido el desagüe en la calle.The rain has clogged the street drainage.
- El alcantarillado en esta área necesita una limpieza urgente.The drainage in this area needs an urgent cleaning.
- La empresa de servicios públicos está trabajando en el alcantarillado de toda la ciudad.The utility company is working on the city's drainage system.
- El drenaje de la lluvia es insuficiente.The rainwater drainage is insufficient.
- Necesitamos mejorar el drenaje del campo.We need to improve the drainage of the field.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are looking at a flooded garden.
- Daniel¿Viste el problema con el drenaje?Did you see the problem with the drainage?
- LucíaSí, el jardín está muy mojado.Yes, the garden is very wet.
- DanielDebemos arreglar el drenaje pronto.We must fix the drainage soon.
- LucíaTienes razón, Daniel.You are right, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “drainage” translations and entries drenaje, desagüe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries desagüe, drenaje, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
