How to Say "Specimen" in Spanish

espécimen

/esˈpeθimen/

The English word "specimen" translates to espécimen in Spanish.

Espécimen is the direct translation for specimen in Spanish. In medical or laboratory contexts, you may also use muestra to mean sample.

How does it change in a sentence?

espécimen is a masculine noun.

/esˈpeθimen/

English speakers often mistakenly treat espécimen as a feminine noun because of its ending, but it is always masculine (un espécimen).

The word espécimen shares the same ancient Proto-Indo-European root *speḱ- as the English word 'spectacles'.
In Spanish, espécimen can be used colloquially to describe a person who is an unusual or extreme example of a certain type, similar to saying someone is 'a real specimen'.
If you are describing a person as a 'fine specimen' in a joking way, using espécimen in Spanish can sound much more formal and stiff than the English equivalent, often lacking the same casual wit.

Este espécimen será analizado en el laboratorio.
This specimen will be analyzed in the laboratory.
Por favor, entregue la muestra en el mostrador.
Please, deliver the specimen at the counter.
El ejemplar será preservado adecuadamente para su exhibición.
The specimen will be properly preserved for its exhibition.
Mira esta muestrita que encontré en el río.
Look at this little specimen I found in the river.
Este espécimen es muy raro de ver.
This specimen is very rare to see.
El científico analizó cada espécimen con cuidado.
The scientist analyzed every specimen carefully.
Necesitamos recolectar un espécimen de la zona.
We need to collect a specimen from the area.

Two colleagues are working in a biology lab.

Lucía

Mateo, ¿ya encontraste el espécimen?
Mateo, did you find the specimen yet?
Mateo

Sí, Lucía, está en la caja pequeña.
Yes, Lucía, it is in the small box.
Lucía

Perfecto, voy a examinarlo ahora mismo.
Perfect, I am going to examine it right now.
Mateo

Dime si notas algo extraño.
Tell me if you notice anything strange.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏