pesticidas
/pestiθidas/from spelling rules
The English word "pesticides" is translated into Spanish as pesticidas.
pesticidas refers to chemical substances used to kill pests, such as insects, that damage crops.
Which one should you use?
plaguicidas is a very common synonym for pesticidas. In Spain, you may also encounter the term fitosanitarios used in place of pesticidas or insecticidas.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In most Latin American countries, pesticidas and insecticidas are commonly used interchangeably. In Spain, the term fitosanitarios is sometimes used instead of pesticidas or insecticidas.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the word is pesticida.
How do you pronounce it?
/pestiθidas/
Did you know?
- Because pesticida is a direct cognate of the English 'pesticide', it sounds very technical and academic. In a common grocery store or garden center in Spain, you are much more likely to see labels for venenos or 'poisons' for domestic pests.
- In official Spanish regulatory contexts, you will often see the term fitosanitarios instead of pesticidas. This term literally translates to 'plant health products', a much softer euphemism used by the agricultural industry and government.
- The word plaguicida comes from the noun plaga, which refers to a plague or an infestation. While English uses 'pest' to describe the nuisance, Spanish focuses on the concept of the outbreak itself.
Examples in context
- Mediante la ingeniería genética, el maíz puede producir sus propios pesticidas.Through genetic engineering, corn can produce its own pesticides.This sentence shows how corn can produce its own pesticidas through genetic engineering.Tatoeba #978839 by hayastan, translation #681069 by Source_VOA
- Los agricultores utilizan pesticidas para proteger sus cultivos.Farmers use pesticides to protect their crops.
- En México, los agricultores usan pesticidas para combatir las enfermedades en los cultivos.In Mexico, farmers use pesticides to fight diseases in crops.
- Los empleados de la granja rocían insecticidas en los huertos para proteger los árboles frutales.Farm workers spray pesticides in the orchards to protect the fruit trees.
- Otros productos similares a los pesticidas incluyen herbicidas y fungicidas.Other products similar to pesticides include herbicides and fungicides.
- No uses pesticidas en este huerto.Do not use pesticides in this vegetable garden.
- Los pesticidas pueden ser peligrosos para las abejas.Pesticides can be dangerous for bees.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are shopping at a farmers market.
- MateoEstas manzanas se ven muy frescas, Sofía.These apples look very fresh, Sofía.
- SofíaSí, y lo mejor es que no usan pesticidas.Yes, and the best part is that they don't use pesticides.
- MateoMe alegra saber que son naturales.I am glad to know that they are natural.
- SofíaEs mucho más saludable para nosotros.It is much healthier for us.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
