grabado
/ɡɾaˈbado/
grabado is the Spanish word for engraved.
The term is used as an adjective to describe something that has been decorated with engravings.
Meaning: decorated with engravings (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, grabado(a) is the most widely used and understood term for engraved. In Argentina, you may encounter tallado(a) in certain contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, grabado must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use grabada if the noun is feminine, grabados if the noun is masculine and plural and grabadas if the noun is feminine and plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡɾaˈbado/
What mistakes should you avoid?
If you are specifically referring to the act of chiseling or carving intricate designs into hard materials like metal or stone, the verb cincelar is more precise.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, grabar is used for both carving into stone and recording a song, because both acts involve 'fixing' a mark or sound permanently onto a medium.
- If you want to say a person is 'engraved' in your memory, you would use the verb grabar. It is a common poetic way to describe a deep, lasting impression in Spanish literature.
- The term grabado is the technical name for the art of printmaking, encompassing techniques like etching and woodcuts.
Examples in context
- El anillo tiene un grabado muy fino.The ring has a very fine engraving.
- El artista cinceló su nombre en la piedra.The artist engraved their name on the stone.
- El mensaje está rayado en la madera.The message is engraved/scratched on the wood.
- El reloj tiene un grabado exquisito.The watch has an exquisite engraving.
- ¿Sabes dónde puedo conseguir una pulsera grabada con una fecha importante?Do you know where I can get a bracelet engraved with an important date?
- El cuadro tiene un marco grabado.The painting has an engraved frame.
- Busco un diario con un diseño grabado.I am looking for a diary with an engraved design.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are looking at jewelry in a shop.
- Lucía¿Viste este modelo grabado?Did you see this engraved model?
- JavierSí, es un diseño muy bonito.Yes, it is a very beautiful design.
- LucíaMe encanta el detalle grabado.I love the engraved detail.
- JavierEs perfecto para un regalo.It is perfect for a gift.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry grabado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
