Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| contaminación | /kontaminaˈθjon/ /kontaminaˈsjon/ |
feminine |
| polución | /poluˈθjon/ /poluˈsjon/ |
feminine |
Both terms refer to the contamination of the environment by harmful substances. You can use contaminación del aire for air pollution, contaminación del agua for water pollution and contaminación acústica for noise pollution. Additionally, the phrase contaminación lumínica is used to describe light pollution.
Which one should you use?
contaminación is the most common and standard term used in all general contexts. In contrast, polución is more frequently used in technical, scientific or formal contexts, particularly when discussing atmospheric or environmental science.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the specific phrase contaminación atmosférica is used to describe air pollution.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both contaminación and polución are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/kontaminaˈθjon/
Did you know?
- While polución refers to environmental pollution in a scientific context, in common daily speech it can also refer to a nocturnal emission or 'wet dream'.
- The word contaminar can be used colloquially to describe someone who is 'corrupting' a child's mind or influencing them negatively.
- In Spanish, the term contaminación acústica is not just a description but a legal category used in city ordinances to fine businesses for noise pollution.
Examples in context
- La contaminación es un problema creciente.Pollution is a growing problem.This sentence illustrates how to use contaminación to describe a growing problem.Tatoeba #5720508 by arh, translation #7892621 by shekitten
- En su último libro ella habla de la polución.Her latest book deals with pollution.This sentence shows how polución can be used when discussing a topic in a book.Tatoeba #964264 by hayastan, translation #309303 by CM
- Yo no salgo cuando hay tanta polución atmosférica.I don't go out when there's that much air pollution.This sentence demonstrates the use of polución in the context of atmospheric conditions.Tatoeba #5720505 by arh, translation #12235985 by Miktsoanit
- La contaminación es una preocupación que afecta nuestras vidas diarias. Debemos tomar medidas para reducirla por el bienestar de nuestro planeta.Contamination is a concern that affects our daily lives. We must take action to reduce it for the well-being of our planet.
- El gobierno debe implementar regulaciones más estrictas para combatir la polución ambiental.The government needs to implement stricter regulations to combat environmental pollution.
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are walking through a city center.
- AlejandroHay mucha contaminación en esta ciudad.There is a lot of pollution in this city.
- MaríaSí, el aire se siente muy pesado.Yes, the air feels very heavy.
- AlejandroDeberíamos usar más el transporte público.We should use public transport more.
- MaríaTienes razón, así reducimos la contaminación.You are right, that way we reduce pollution.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pollution” translations and entries contaminación, polución, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
