mortero
/moɾˈteɾo/masculine
The Spanish word for mortar is mortero. Wiktionary also lists argamasa.
Meaning: mixture of lime or cement, sand and water (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mortero | /moɾˈteɾo/ | masculine |
| argamasa | /aɾɡaˈmasa/ | feminine |
The term refers to a mixture of sand, water and cement or lime. The word mortero also refers to the kitchen tool used for grinding herbs or spices, known in English as a mortar and pestle.
Which one should you use?
mortero is a masculine noun, while argamasa is a feminine noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural, use morteros for the masculine form and argamasas for the feminine form.
How do you pronounce it?
/moɾˈteɾo/
Did you know?
- The term argamasa is often used metaphorically in Spanish literature to describe a social or emotional bond that holds different people together.
- A Spanish speaker might use the word mortero to describe the actual stone basin of a pestle set, while the pestle itself is called a mano or 'hand'.
- In Spanish, mortero is not only a tool or building material but also the name for a specific type of infantry soldier who operates a mortar weapon.
Examples in context
- Mi abuelo siempre agregaba un poco de argamasa a la mezcla.My grandfather always added a bit of mortar to the mixture.
- El mortero está demasiado seco.The mortar is too dry.
- Necesitamos más mortero para los ladrillos.We need more mortar for the bricks.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are working on a small construction project at home.
- Sofía¿Ya preparaste el mortero?Did you prepare the mortar already?
- JavierSí, el mortero está listo para usar.Yes, the mortar is ready to use.
- SofíaPerfecto, pásame la pala, por favor.Perfect, pass me the shovel, please.
- JavierAquí tienes, Sofía.Here you go, Sofía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mortar” translations and entries mortero, argamasa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
