goteante
/ɡoteante/from spelling rules
In Spanish, 'drippy' is translated as goteante.
The term is used to describe something that is leaking or letting liquid fall in small drops.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the verb gotear (to drip) and the suffix -ante, which forms a present participle acting as an adjective. Literally, it means 'dripping'.
Which one should you use?
While goteante is a direct adjective, in many natural contexts, Spanish speakers prefer using the relative clause que gotea (that drips) to describe a leaking object.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, goteante must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies, such as una tubería goteante or unos grifos goteantes.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡoteante/
Did you know?
- The noun gota is also used in the medical term gota to refer to gout, a type of arthritis, because the disease was once thought to be caused by drops of acid in the joints.
- In Spanish, a 'drippy' nose is not described as goteante, but as moqueante, using the specific noun moco for mucus.
- The word gotera is used to describe a leak in a ceiling or roof, but it refers to the specific spot where the water falls rather than the leak in the structure itself.
Examples in context
- En la sala de reuniones, el grifo de agua estaba goteante y creaba un ambiente incómodo.In the meeting room, the faucet was dripping and creating an uncomfortable atmosphere.
- La paleta de helado estaba chorreante y se empezó a derretir rápidamente.The ice cream popsicle was drippy and started melting quickly.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are in the kitchen.
- ElenaMira, el grifo sigue goteante.Look, the faucet is still drippy.
- AlejandroLo sé, debo arreglarlo pronto.I know, I must fix it soon.
- ElenaEl agua está mojando todo el suelo.The water is wetting the whole floor.
- AlejandroVoy a buscar las herramientas ahora.I am going to look for the tools now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
