conservantes
/konseɾbantes/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'preservatives' is translated into Spanish as conservantes.
conservantes refers to chemical substances added to food or medicine to prevent them from spoiling.
Which one should you use?
While preservativos is a cognate of the English word, in Spanish it almost exclusively refers to condoms. Use conservantes instead when you are talking about food additives. You may also use the more specific formal terms aditivos conservantes (preservative additives) or agentes conservantes.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, such as Mexico and Colombia, conservadores is commonly used to mean 'preservatives'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the word is conservante, while the plural form is conservantes.
How do you pronounce it?
/konseɾbantes/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the word preservativos when referring to food-related additives, as this word is primarily used to refer to condoms.
Did you know?
- While conservantes describes the chemical, the word conservas refers to the actual preserved foods, such as canned fish or pickled vegetables.
- The risk of using preservativos instead of conservantes is a classic example of a 'false friend', where words look similar but have wildly different meanings.
- Spanish distinguishes between aditivos, which are any additives, and conservantes, which specifically prevent spoilage.
Examples in context
- A mí me gusta el yogur sin conservantes.I like the yogurt without preservatives.This sentence demonstrates how to express a preference for yogurt without conservantes.Tatoeba #1221931 by wallebot, translation #1221930 by wallebot
- Los conservantes artificiales pueden afectar la calidad nutricional de los alimentos.Artificial preservatives can affect the nutritional quality of food.
- Los aditivos conservantes son utilizados para prolongar la vida útil de los productos alimenticios.Preservative additives are used to extend the shelf life of food products.
- Los agentes conservantes previenen el deterioro de los alimentos.Preservative agents prevent food spoilage.
- Me preocupa que estos alimentos contengan conservantes artificiales.I'm concerned that these foods contain artificial preservatives.
- No me gusta comer alimentos con sustancias para conservar.I don't like to eat foods with preservatives.
- Los conservadores presentes en estos productos pueden ser dañinos para la salud.The preservatives present in these products can be harmful to health.
- Estos jugos tienen muchos conservantes.These juices have many preservatives.
- Prefiero los alimentos sin conservantes.I prefer foods without preservatives.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are looking at food labels in a supermarket.
- MateoMaría, ¿este pan tiene conservantes?María, does this bread have preservatives?
- MaríaNo, es totalmente natural, Mateo.No, it is totally natural, Mateo.
- MateoQué bueno, no quiero comer tantos conservantes.That's good, I don't want to eat so many preservatives.
- MaríaYo tampoco, siempre leo las etiquetas.Neither do I, I always read the labels.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
