lámpara de aceite
/lampaɾa de aθeite/from spelling rulesfeminine
The English phrase 'oil lamp' is translated into Spanish as lámpara de aceite. Wiktionary also lists candil.
Meaning: a simple vessel used to produce light (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lámpara de aceite | /lampaɾa de aθeite/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /lampaɾa de aseite/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
| candil | /kanˈdil/ | masculine |
An oil lamp is a simple vessel used to produce light.
Which one should you use?
lámpara de aceite is a descriptive, modern term. In contrast, candil is often used in literary or poetic contexts to refer to an oil lamp.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase lámpara de aceite plural, you change the noun to lámparas while keeping de aceite the same, resulting in lámparas de aceite.
How do you pronounce it?
/lampaɾa de aθeite/
Did you know?
- The word candil is actually a linguistic traveler that moved from Latin to Arabic and then back into Spanish, a rare journey for many common words.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿dónde puedo encontrar una lámpara de aceite?Excuse me, where can I find an oil lamp?
- La lámpara de aceite ilumina la mesa.The oil lamp illuminates the table.
- Necesito una lámpara de aceite para el campamento.I need an oil lamp for the campsite.
- Esa vieja lámpara de aceite es muy bonita.That old oil lamp is very beautiful.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are exploring an old house.
- Daniel¿Ves esa lámpara de aceite sobre la mesa?Do you see that oil lamp on the table?
- SofíaSí, parece muy antigua.Yes, it looks very old.
- DanielPodríamos usarla para ver mejor.We could use it to see better.
- SofíaEs una buena idea, Daniel.That is a good idea, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “oil lamp” translations and entries candil, 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 aceite, candil, de, lámpara, CC BY-SA 4.0.
