Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bomba | /ˈbomba/ | feminine |
| pompa | /ˈpompa/ | feminine |
| aguatocha | /aɡwatot͡ʃa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
The primary meaning of these terms is a device used for moving liquid or gas. If you are describing the action of moving liquid or gas using such a device, you can use the verbs bombear, pompear or pompar. In a sports context, the verb bombear can also mean to kick, throw or hit a ball far and high.
Which one should you use?
bomba is the standard term for a mechanical pump or a device used to move fluids. The forms pompa and aguatocha are also present in the language.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
bombear is the most common way to express the action of pumping a liquid or gas. In contrast, pompear is a common anglicism used in informal or technical contexts, particularly in some Latin American regions, derived from the English word 'pump'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, surtidor is the preferred term for pump at gasoline stations.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun bomba is feminine, and its plural form is bombas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbomba/
Did you know?
- While bomba refers to a mechanical device, it also means a 'bomb' or an explosive device in many Spanish-speaking countries.
- In Puerto Rico, bomba is a traditional style of music and dance where the drummer responds to the dancer's movements.
- The word bomba finds its origins in the Latin word bombus, which originally described a 'noise' or 'rumbling sound'.
Examples in context
- Usaron una bomba para sacar el agua.They used a pump to take out the water.This sentence shows the use of bomba to describe a device used to remove water.Tatoeba #2259648 by cueyayotl, translation #2259647 by _undertoad
- El corazón humano es comparable a una bomba.The human heart is analogous to a pump.This sentence uses bomba to provide an analogy for the human heart.Tatoeba #2036280 by marcelostockle, translation #268997 by Eldad
- El mecánico revisó la bomba de gasolina del automóvil.The mechanic checked the gasoline pump of the car.
- Espera en el surtidor que ya vengo.Wait at the pump, I'll be right back.
- La bomba de gasolina está rota.The fuel pump is broken.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are in a garage looking at a car.
- Alejandro¿Puedes revisar la bomba?Can you check the pump?
- ElenaSí, voy a ver si funciona.Yes, I will see if it works.
- AlejandroEspero que no sea caro.I hope it is not expensive.
- ElenaLo arreglaré rápidamente, Alejandro.I will fix it quickly, Alejandro.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pump” translations and entries bomba, pompa, 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 bomba, pompa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
