bomba de gasolina
/bomba de ɡasolina/from spelling rules
The English phrase "gasoline pump" is translated into Spanish as bomba de gasolina.
The phrase refers to the machine used to dispense fuel into a vehicle at a filling station. Note that while bomba de gasolina refers to the machine itself, the word gasolinera refers to the gas station.
What does it mean word for word?
The word bomba literally means "pump".
Which one should you use?
There are several ways to refer to this machine depending on the context and location. El surtidor de gasolina is a formal term, while dispensador de gasolina is a more formal or technical term used in some regions. In some Spanish-speaking regions, you may also hear la bomba de gas.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin American countries like Mexico and Central America, you are more likely to hear la bomba de gas.
How does it change in a sentence?
La bomba is a feminine noun, whereas el surtidor is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/bomba de ɡasolina/
Did you know?
- Depending on the country, an attendant at the bomba de gasolina may be called a despachador or a bombero, though the latter usually means 'firefighter' in most other contexts.
- While bomba means 'pump', in many Latin American countries it can also refer to a 'bomb' or explosive device, depending entirely on the context of the conversation.
- The word gas in 'gasolina' shares a distant evolutionary history with the Greek word for 'chaos', referring to a vast, empty space.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿dónde se encuentra la bomba de gasolina más cercana?Excuse me, where can I find the nearest gasoline pump?
- Por favor, indica la ubicación del surtidor de gasolinaPlease indicate the location of the gasoline pump
- Voy a llenar el tanque, ¿dónde está la bomba de gas?I'm going to fill up the tank, where is the gasoline pump?
- La bomba de gasolina no funciona.The gasoline pump is not working.
- El conductor paró junto a la bomba de gasolina.The driver stopped next to the gasoline pump.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are at a gas station while traveling.
- Javier¿Puedes ver la bomba de gasolina, Sofía?Can you see the gasoline pump, Sofía?
- SofíaSí, está justo al final de la fila.Yes, it is right at the end of the line.
- JavierPerfecto, aparca el coche allí.Perfect, park the car there.
- SofíaVale, yo también necesito gasolina.Okay, I need gasoline too.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bomba, de, gasolina, CC BY-SA 4.0.
