mercurio
/meɾˈkuɾjo/masculine
The English word mercury is translated into Spanish as mercurio. Wiktionary also lists azogue and hidrargirio.
Meaning: silvery-coloured, metallic chemical element with the atomic number 80 (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mercurio | /meɾˈkuɾjo/ | masculine |
| azogue | /aˈθoɡe/ /aˈsoɡe/ |
masculine |
| hidrargirio | /idɾaɾˈxiɾjo/ | masculine |
The word refers to the silvery-coloured, metallic chemical element with the atomic number 80.
Which one should you use?
While mercurio is the standard term, azogue is a more literary or archaic way to refer to liquid mercury, often used in historical or poetic contexts. hidrargirio is a highly technical or scientific term for mercury, derived from its Latin name.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the Roman god or the planet Mercury, the word is capitalized as Mercurio. All three forms are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/meɾˈkuɾjo/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish dialects, the term azogue can be used figuratively to describe someone who is restless or cannot stay still.
- The word azogue reveals the deep historical influence of Arabic on the Spanish language, as it stems from the Arabic word for 'quicksilver'.
- In historical Spanish texts, azogue was specifically used to describe the mercury used in the mining process to extract silver.
Examples in context
- Ese de ahí es Mercurio.That one over there is Mercury.This sentence uses mercurio to identify a specific person or entity.Tatoeba #1258808 by marcelostockle, translation #1258813 by marcelostockle
- ¿El mercurio es verdaderamente un metal?Is mercury really a metal?This sentence uses mercurio to ask a question about the properties of the metal.Tatoeba #1258806 by marcelostockle, translation #761152 by Zifre
- Mercurio es el planeta más cercano al sol.Mercury is the planet nearest to the sun.This sentence uses mercurio to describe the planet's position relative to the sun.Tatoeba #2036282 by marcelostockle, translation #2036287 by marcelostockle
- La temperatura del mercurio es extremadamente baja en este experimento.The temperature of mercury is extremely low in this experiment.
- Limpié el derrame de mercurio líquido en el laboratorio.I cleaned up the spill of liquid mercury in the laboratory.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are in a science laboratory.
- JavierTen cuidado con ese termómetro de mercurio.Be careful with that mercury thermometer.
- SofíaNo te preocupes, Javier, lo guardaré bien.Don't worry, Javier, I will store it safely.
- JavierEs peligroso si el mercurio se derrama.It is dangerous if the mercury spills.
- SofíaLo sé, soy muy cuidadosa con los químicos.I know, I am very careful with chemicals.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mercury” translations and entries mercurio, azogue, hidrargirio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries azogue, mercurio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
