espejo de cristal
/espexo de kɾistal/from spelling rules
The English phrase glass mirror is translated into Spanish as espejo de cristal.
This phrase refers to a reflective surface made of glass used to see one's own image.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of espejo (mirror) and de cristal (of glass).
Which one should you use?
While espejo de cristal specifies the material, in most everyday contexts, the word espejo alone is sufficient to mean a glass mirror.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, you change espejo to espejos while de cristal remains unchanged, resulting in espejos de cristal.
Did you know?
- The word cristal shares its history with the word 'ice', as it originates from the Ancient Greek word krústallos, which meant 'ice'.
- Spanish has a 'learned doublet' of espejo called espéculo, which is used in technical or medical contexts.
- In Spanish, the word cristal is used for both 'glass' as a material and 'crystal' as a mineral.
Examples in context
- El espejo de cristal está roto.The glass mirror is broken.
- Compré un espejo de cristal para el baño.I bought a glass mirror for the bathroom.
- Ese espejo de cristal es muy grande.That glass mirror is very large.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are decorating a new room in their house.
- Lucía¿Dónde pongo este espejo de cristal?Where do I put this glass mirror?
- JavierPonlo sobre la mesa, Lucía.Put it on the table, Lucía.
- LucíaEstá muy pesado para mí.It is too heavy for me.
- JavierNo te preocupes, yo te ayudo.Don't worry, I will help you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cristal, de, espejo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
