lupa
/ˈlupa/feminine
The English phrase "magnifying glass" is translated into Spanish as lupa.
lupa is a noun used to refer to the optical instrument used to produce an enlarged image of an object.
Meaning: instrument (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin American countries, lupa tends to be more prevalent than the alternative term lente de aumento.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun lupa is feminine and is used with the feminine article la to form la lupa (the magnifying glass).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlupa/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the phrase poner bajo la lupa is used metaphorically to describe putting someone or something under intense scrutiny, similar to the English expression 'under the microscope'.
- The Spanish word lupa is a direct loan from the French word 'loupe'. English also borrowed this same term, though 'loupe' in English now specifically refers to a small magnifier used by jewelers and watchmakers.
- While lupa describes the tool, Spanish uses the word lupa in the context of digital interfaces to describe the search icon in many software applications.
Examples in context
- Alguien le había roto la lupa a Sherlock Holmes.Someone had broken Sherlock Holmes' magnifying glass.This sentence shows an example of someone breaking the lupa belonging to Sherlock Holmes.Tatoeba #7881404 by Seael, translation #10619069 by sangelo
- Estas letras pequeñas solo se pueden leer con una lupa.These small letters can only be read with a magnifying glass.This sentence demonstrates how a lupa is used to read small letters.Tatoeba #2268749 by cueyayotl, translation #2268748 by _undertoad
- Soy capaz de hacer estas miniaturas sin lupa porque, como soy miope, veo extraordinariamente bien muy de cerca.I'm able to make these miniatures without using a magnifying glass because I'm so near-sighted.This sentence illustrates performing a task without the use of a lupa.Tatoeba #7929537 by Seael, translation #10619073 by sangelo
- Necesito una lente de aumento para leer este texto pequeño.I need a magnifying glass to read this small text.
- ¿Me prestas tu lupa? Quiero examinar este objeto de cerca.Can you lend me your magnifying glass? I want to examine this object closely.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are looking for something in an old box.
- Mateo¿Tienes una lupa por aquí?Do you have a magnifying glass around here?
- MaríaNo, pero puedo usar mis gafas.No, but I can use my glasses.
- MateoLa lupa ayudaría a ver mejor los detalles.The magnifying glass would help see the details better.
- MaríaTienes razón, buscaré en el cajón.You're right, I'll look in the drawer.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “magnifying glass” translations and entries lupa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lupa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
