marfil
/maɾˈfil/masculine
Ivory in Spanish is marfil.
Marfil is the noun used for the material itself. To refer to illicit trade, the term marfil ilegal is used.
Meaning: material (noun)
Which one should you use?
While marfil is the noun for the material, the standard way to express that an object is made of ivory is to use the phrase de marfil.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The adjective ebúrneo is a highly formal, literary adjective used to describe things made of ivory or having an ivory-like quality.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun marfil is masculine and is typically used as an uncountable noun in Spanish, similar to English.
How do you pronounce it?
/maɾˈfil/
Did you know?
- The word marfil comes from the Arabic phrase ʕaẓm al-fīl, which literally means 'elephant bone'.
- The rare adjective ebúrneo is often used in Spanish poetry to describe skin or teeth, giving them a cold, polished, and statuesque quality.
- While marfil is the common term, the literary adjective ebúrneo comes from the Latin word for ivory, 'eburneus'.
Examples in context
- Veo una cruz de marfil.I see an ivory cross.This sentence shows how to describe an object made of marfil.Tatoeba #2117618 by hayastan, translation #12893751 by araneo
- Es marfil.It's ivory.This sentence uses marfil to identify the material.Tatoeba #9183440 by ignacio, translation #9183193 by CK
- El general, sin interrumpir su discurso, le golpeó en la cabeza con su pesado bastón de marfil, y el bárbaro cayó.The general, without interrupting his speech, hit him on the head with his heavy ivory stick, the barbarian fell.This sentence demonstrates how to describe a heavy object made of marfil.Tatoeba #1937296 by Shishir, translation #1937013 by Scott
- El marfil es utilizado en la elaboración de joyería fina.Ivory is used in the production of fine jewelry.
- Compré una elegante pulsera marfil para lucir en la fiesta.I bought an elegant ivory bracelet to wear at the party.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are at an antique shop.
- Sofía¿Te gusta este anillo de marfil, Javier?Do you like this ivory ring, Javier?
- JavierEs muy bonito, Sofía.It is very beautiful, Sofía.
- SofíaParece muy antiguo.It looks very old.
- JavierSí, es una pieza especial.Yes, it is a special piece.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ivory” translations and entries marfil, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries marfil, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
