radiactivo
/radjaɡˈtibo/
The Spanish word for radioactive is radiactivo.
radiactivo is an adjective used to describe something that is exhibiting radioactivity.
Meaning: exhibiting radioactivity (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, radiactivo must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use the feminine form radiactiva for feminine nouns, the masculine plural form radiactivos for masculine plural nouns and the feminine plural form radiactivas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/radjaɡˈtibo/
Did you know?
- When discussing nuclear physics in Spanish, the term desintegración radiactiva is used for 'radioactive decay', whereas in English 'decay' can also imply organic rot.
- In Spanish-language news reports, the phrase residuos radiactivos is the standard term for 'radioactive waste', which is more formal than the common term basura radiactiva.
Examples in context
- Es posible establecer la edad de las rocas a través de elementos radiactivos.It is possible to determine a rock's age thanks to radioactive elements.This example shows how to use radiactivo when discussing the age of rocks.Tatoeba #1241381 by hayastan, translation #1423578 by marcelostockle
- ¿Los gatos radiactivos tienen 18 semividas?Do radioactive cats have 18 half-lives?This example uses radiactivo in a question about half-lives.Tatoeba #10669967 by DJ_Saidez, translation #901471 by Spamster
- Los residuos radiactivos de EE.UU. pueden ser objetivo de ataques terroristas.America's radioactive waste may be targeted in terrorist attacks.This example uses radiactivo in the context of waste and security.Tatoeba #855241 by rafermom, translation #329088 by fcbond
- Los científicos estudian el material radiactivo para entender sus propiedades.Scientists study radioactive material to understand its properties.
- Necesitamos almacenar los desechos radioactivos de manera segura.We need to store radioactive waste safely.
- La explosión dejó escombros radioactivos en el área.The explosion left behind radioactive debris in the area.
Example conversation
A scientist and an assistant are discussing laboratory safety.
- SofíaDaniel, ¿has revisado el contenedor radiactivo?Daniel, have you checked the radioactive container?
- DanielSí, Sofía, todo parece estar en orden.Yes, Sofía, everything seems to be in order.
- SofíaAsegúrate de usar siempre los guantes de protección.Make sure to always use protective gloves.
- DanielNo te preocupes, sigo todos los protocolos.Don't worry, I follow all the protocols.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “radioactive” translations and entries radiactivo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
