Invernadero
/imbeɾnadeɾo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'green house' (referring to a glass building for plants) is translated into Spanish as Invernadero.
Invernadero refers specifically to a glass building or structure used for growing plants that require warmth.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of invernar, which means to winter or to stay in a warm place and the suffix -adero, which denotes a place for something.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term invernadero is used throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
How do you pronounce it?
/imbeɾnadeɾo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use casa verde to mean a greenhouse. However, casa verde actually means a house that is painted the color green.
Did you know?
- The suffix -dero in invernadero is a descendant of the Latin -tōrium. This same Latin root appears in English words like 'auditorium' and 'sanatorium' to denote a place where a specific action occurs.
- The Spanish word invernar does not just apply to plants but also to animals and people. It refers to the act of spending the winter in a warmer climate to avoid the cold.
- While invernadero describes the building, the act of growing plants inside one is called invernaje. This allows Spanish speakers to discuss the process of wintering plants as a specific technical activity.
Examples in context
- Los agricultores utilizan invernaderos para cultivar plantas exóticas o climáticamente sensibles.Farmers use greenhouses to grow exotic or climatically sensitive plants.
- Mi hermano trabaja en un vivero donde cultivan y venden diferentes tipos de plantas.My brother works in a nursery where they grow and sell different types of plants.
- Compré un invernadero para mis plantas.I bought a greenhouse for my plants.
- Hay muchas flores en el invernadero.There are many flowers in the greenhouse.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are walking through a garden.
- MateoMira, Lucía, el invernadero es muy grande.Look, Lucía, the greenhouse is very big.
- LucíaSí, Mateo, allí hace mucho calor.Yes, Mateo, it is very hot in there.
- Mateo¿Quieres entrar al invernadero ahora?Do you want to enter the greenhouse now?
- LucíaSí, quiero ver las flores.Yes, I want to see the flowers.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries invernadero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
