farol
/faˈɾol/masculine
The Spanish word for lantern is farol. Wiktionary also lists candil and quinqué.
Meaning: case of transparent material made to protect a flame, or light (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| farol | /faˈɾol/ | masculine |
| candil | /kanˈdil/ | masculine |
| quinqué | /kinˈke/ | masculine |
| candileja | /kandilexa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| farolillo (consumable) | masculine |
A lantern is a case of transparent material made to protect a flame, or light (noun).
Which one should you use?
While farol is the general term for a lantern, often implying a larger or more structural light source, other words are more specific. Use candil specifically for a small, traditional oil lamp and use quinqué to refer specifically to a kerosene lamp or a glass-encased lamp. The diminutive farolillo is often used for small decorative lanterns or the paper lanterns used in festivals. To specify a decorative paper lantern, use the phrase farolillo de papel.
How does it change in a sentence?
All the forms provided are masculine except for candileja, which is feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/faˈɾol/
Did you know?
- The term farol is also used in card games to describe a 'bluff', where a player pretends to have a stronger hand than they actually do.
- The word farol comes from the Greek word Pháros, which was the name of the island where the Great Lighthouse of Alexandria was built.
- During the Feria de Abril in Seville, the streets are decorated with thousands of farolillos, which are small paper lanterns used to create a festive atmosphere.
Examples in context
- Encienda usted el farol para que veamos.Light the lantern so we can see.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of farol in a command to light a lantern.Tatoeba #2267536 by cueyayotl, translation #2267535 by _undertoad
- La cabeza de un tonto es literalmente como un farol sin fuego.A fool's head is literally like a lantern without fire.This sentence uses farol in a metaphorical comparison.Tatoeba #3936027 by gianich73, translation #11607560 by abburns
- ¿Dónde puedo conseguir un candil?Where can I get a lantern?
- El farol de la entrada está roto.The lantern at the entrance is broken.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are walking in a dark garden.
- Elena¿Puedes buscar el farol, Daniel?Can you look for the lantern, Daniel?
- DanielSí, lo veo cerca del árbol.Yes, I see it near the tree.
- ElenaQué bueno, no veo nada en la oscuridad.That's good, I can't see anything in the dark.
- DanielTranquila, ya lo tengo en la mano.Don't worry, I have it in my hand now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lantern” translations and entries farol, candil, quinqué, candileja, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries candil, farol, quinqué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
