inhibidor
/inibiˈdoɾ/
The English word "inhibitor" is translated into Spanish as inhibidor.
inhibidor is used to refer to a substance that slows down a reaction.
Meaning: substance slowing a reaction (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
This is a noun that must agree in gender with the substance it describes. If the substance is feminine, you should use the form inhibidora.
How do you pronounce it?
/inibiˈdoɾ/
Did you know?
- While inhibidor describes a chemical substance, Spanish speakers use the adjective inhibido to describe a person who is shy or socially anxious.
- In a psychological context, Spanish uses the phrase desinhibidor to describe substances like alcohol that remove social restraints, acting as the opposite of an inhibidor.
- While inhibidor is the scientific standard, in certain technical Spanish contexts, you might see the term frenador used metaphorically to describe something that 'brakes' or 'stalls' a process.
Examples in context
- El inhibidor esencial previene la acción enzimática.The essential inhibitor prevents enzymatic action.
- El bloqueador previene la proliferación de células cancerosas.The inhibitor prevents the proliferation of cancer cells.
- Esta sustancia actúa como freno para el crecimiento bacteriano.This substance acts as an inhibitor for bacterial growth.
- El inhibidor detiene la reacción química.The inhibitor stops the chemical reaction.
- Necesitamos añadir un inhibidor a la mezcla.We need to add an inhibitor to the mixture.
- Ese inhibidor es muy efectivo en el laboratorio.That inhibitor is very effective in the laboratory.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are working in a chemistry lab.
- Elena¿Tienes el inhibidor para el experimento, Alejandro?Do you have the inhibitor for the experiment, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSí, Elena, lo tengo aquí en la mesa.Yes, Elena, I have it here on the table.
- ElenaPerfecto, la reacción es demasiado rápida.Perfect, the reaction is too fast.
- AlejandroEntonces, añadiré el inhibidor ahora mismo.Then, I will add the inhibitor right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “inhibitor” translations and entries inhibidor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
