laboratorio
/laboɾaˈtoɾjo/
The English word 'lab' is translated into Spanish as laboratorio.
In more formal contexts, such as describing a professional facility, you might see the term Centro de investigación used to refer to research centers.
Meaning: Labrador retriever (noun)
Which one should you use?
The Spanish word laboratorio refers specifically to a scientific or research laboratory and does not refer to the Labrador retriever dog breed.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term cuarto de pruebas may be used occasionally to mean 'testing room'.
How do you pronounce it?
/laboɾaˈtoɾjo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the English clipped form 'lab' to refer to a laboratory in Spanish. 'Lab' is not a standard abbreviation for laboratorio in Spanish and may lead to misunderstanding.
Did you know?
- If you call a dog a laboratorio in a Spanish-speaking country, people will think you are calling your pet a scientific research facility.
- In Spanish, the word laboratorio is frequently used as a shorthand for a pharmaceutical company, such as a laboratorio farmacéutico.
- While laboratorio refers to a science facility, the word laborar means 'to work'. This connects the site of a scientific experiment to the general concept of physical or mental effort.
Examples in context
- Él trabaja en el laboratorio.He works in the lab.This sentence is useful for describing where someone works using laboratorio.Tatoeba #512461 by Shishir, translation #484983 by FeuDRenais
- Quiero volver al laboratorio.I want to go back to the lab.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to return to the laboratorio.Tatoeba #2081601 by marcelostockle, translation #2013576 by CK
- Todo comenzó en este laboratorio.It all started in this lab.This sentence is useful for describing the origin of an event within a specific laboratorio.Tatoeba #2098598 by marcelostockle, translation #2098609 by marcelostockle
- El laboratorio de químicaThe chemistry lab
- Laboratorio de biología molecularMolecular biology lab
- El centro de investigación cuenta con un laboratorioThe research center has a lab
- El laboratorio de investigación es un lugar fundamental para el avance científicoThe research lab is a fundamental place for scientific advancement
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Mateo are talking about a new pet.
- MaríaMira este perro, es un laboratorio.Look at this dog, it's a lab.
- MateoEs muy bonito, ¿es tu laboratorio?He is very pretty, is he your lab?
- MaríaSí, Mateo, es mi nuevo laboratorio.Yes, Mateo, he is my new lab.
- MateoMe encantan los perros laboratorio.I love lab dogs.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry laboratorio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
