tabla periódica
/ˌtabla peˈɾjodika/feminine
The periodic table in Spanish is tabla periódica. If unsure, use tabla periódica. Wiktionary also lists clasificación periódica and tabla periódica de los elementos.
Meaning: tabular chart of the chemical elements (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tabla periódica | /ˌtabla peˈɾjodika/ | feminine |
| clasificación periódica | /klasifikaˌθjom peˈɾjodika/ /klasifikaˌsjom peˈɾjodika/ |
feminine |
| tabla periódica de los elementos | /tabla peɾjodika de los elementos/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
tabla periódica is the chart of the chemical elements used in schools and science. The full name is tabla periódica de los elementos.
Which one should you use?
clasificación periódica is a more technical term found in academic or scientific writing for the system itself, while tabla periódica refers to the chart.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is feminine, so it takes la, as in la tabla periódica.
How do you pronounce it?
tabla periódica is pronounced /ˌtabla peˈɾjodika/, with the main stress on the second syllable of periódica.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word tabla is used for both a scientific chart and a surfboard, as both are conceptually flat boards.
- The term tabla comes from the Latin tabula, which originally meant a piece of wood or a tablet used for writing.
- Despite tabla being feminine, the phrase tabla periódica de los elementos uses the masculine article los to agree with elementos.
Examples in context
- Él memorizó la tabla periódica sólo por diversión.He learnt the periodic table by heart just for fun.memorizó la tabla periódica means he memorized the periodic table.Tatoeba #1258447 by hayastan, translation #727759 by sysko
- 1974, Rodolfo H. Busch (translator), Robert W. Parry (author), Química: Fundamentos Experimentales (translation of Chemistry: Experimental Foundations), Reverte, page 91These arguments serve to logically explain the variation of properties using the periodic table and the division of the elements into groups.This entry cites a chemistry textbook that uses the more technical term.
- Para entender mejor la química, vamos a analizar la tabla periódica. Aquí podemos observar los distintos elementos y sus características.To better understand chemistry, we will analyze the periodic table. Here we can observe the different elements and their characteristics.
- Necesito estudiar la tabla periódica para el examen.I need to study the periodic table for the exam.
Example conversation
Two students are studying in a library.
- Sofía¿Tienes una copia de la tabla periódica?Do you have a copy of the periodic table?
- JavierSí, la tengo en mi cuaderno.Yes, I have it in my notebook.
- SofíaGracias, Javier. ¿Me la puedes prestar?Thanks, Javier. Can you lend it to me?
- JavierClaro, Sofía. Aquí tienes.Of course, Sofia. Here you go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “periodic table” translations and entries tabla periódica, clasificación periódica, 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 clasificación, de, los, tabla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
