pomada
/poˈmada/feminine
The English word ointment is translated into Spanish as pomada. Wiktionary also lists ungüento and mentisán.
Meaning: viscous preparation, usually containing medication (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pomada | /poˈmada/ | feminine |
| ungüento | /unˈɡwento/ | masculine |
| mentisán | /mentisan/ (from spelling rules) | Bolivia, masculine |
| mentolina | /mentolina/ (from spelling rules) | Latin America, feminine |
An ointment is a viscous preparation, usually containing medication.
Which one should you use?
pomada is the most common and general term for an ointment or cream used for skin application. In contrast, ungüento is a more formal or technical term, often used in medical or literary contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bolivia, the term mentisán is used to refer to an ointment.
How does it change in a sentence?
pomada is a feminine noun, so it must be preceded by feminine articles like la or una. ungüento is a masculine noun, so it must be preceded by masculine articles like el or un.
How do you pronounce it?
/poˈmada/
Did you know?
- In certain colloquial contexts, saying someone is echando pomada can imply they are trying to flatter someone to get what they want.
- The English word 'pomade', used for hair styling, shares the exact same root as the Spanish word pomada.
- In some literary contexts, a writer might use ungüento to describe a metaphorically soothing speech or a person's comforting words.
Examples in context
- Prueba este ungüento milagroso.Try this miracle ointment.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use ungüento.Tatoeba #1003094 by arashi_29, translation #1263616 by xellugis
- El médico me recetó una pomada para tratar la quemadura.The doctor prescribed an ointment to treat the burn.
- Asegúrate de aplicar la pomada según las indicaciones del envase.Make sure to apply the ointment as directed on the package.
- ¿Tienes algún ungüento para aliviar la picadura de insecto?Do you have any ointment to relieve insect bites?
- La pomada ayuda a calmar la piel.The ointment helps to soothe the skin.
- Necesito una pomada para esta quemadura.I need an ointment for this burn.
Example conversation
Mateo is showing Lucía his irritated skin at home.
- Lucía¿Te duele mucho esa zona, Mateo?Does that area hurt a lot, Mateo?
- MateoSí, la piel está muy roja.Yes, the skin is very red.
- LucíaUsa esta pomada medicinal que tengo aquí.Use this medicinal ointment I have here.
- MateoGracias, Lucía, la voy a probar.Thanks, Lucía, I will try it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ointment” translations and entries pomada, ungüento, 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 pomada, ungüento, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
