esperma
/esˈpeɾma/
The English phrase sperm is translated into Spanish as esperma.
Meaning: cell (noun)
Which one should you use?
While esperma refers to the fluid, the technical term for an individual spermatozoon is espermatozoide and the formal biological term for a male gamete is gameto masculino.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the cell term espermatozoide is espermatozoides.
How do you pronounce it?
/esˈpeɾma/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use esperma to refer to individual sperm cells. However, esperma refers to the seminal fluid, whereas espermatozoide should be used for the individual cell.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the term semilla meaning 'seed' is used as a poetic or traditional euphemism for esperma.
- The Spanish term espermatozoide describes the cell's shape, as zoide comes from the Greek word for 'animal', implying the cell is a 'tiny animal'.
- In common spoken Spanish, people often use esperma to refer to both the fluid and the individual cells, despite the strict biological distinction between esperma and espermatozoide.
Examples in context
- Los bancos de esperma realizan pruebas de detección en los donantes para reducir la posibilidad del contagio de enfermedades genéticas e infecciosas.Sperm banks perform screenings on the donors to reduce the chance of their passing on genetic and infectious diseases.This sentence is useful for seeing how esperma is used in the context of sperm banks and disease screening.Tatoeba #4482114 by cueyayotl, translation #1425814 by MrShoval
- En los bancos de esperma, las mujeres que quieren inseminarse pueden elegir a su donante basándose en su edad, altura, peso y otras características físicas, o incluso en su país de origen y signo astrológico.At sperm banks, women seeking insemination can choose their donor based on age, height, weight and other physical features, or even by donor's country of origin and astrological sign.This sentence shows how esperma is used when discussing donor selection at sperm banks.Tatoeba #1753996 by Shishir, translation #1425815 by MrShoval
- El espermatozoide es una célula reproductiva masculina.The spermatozoon is a male reproductive cell.
- El esperma contiene la información genética del padre.The sperm contains the father's genetic information.
- El esperma es esencial para la fertilidad.Sperm is essential for fertility.
Example conversation
A doctor is explaining a fertility report to a couple.
- LucíaLa calidad del esperma parece ser buena.The quality of the sperm seems to be good.
- AlejandroEso es un alivio para nosotros.That is a relief for us.
- LucíaAlejandro, ¿tienes alguna duda sobre el análisis?Alejandro, do you have any doubts about the analysis?
- AlejandroNo, todo está muy claro.No, everything is very clear.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry esperma, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
