mancha
/ˈmant͡ʃa/feminine
The English word "stain" is translated into Spanish as mancha. Wiktionary also lists lamparón and rodal.
Meaning: discoloured spot or area (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mancha | /ˈmant͡ʃa/ | feminine |
| lamparón | /lampaˈɾon/ | masculine |
| rodal | /roˈdal/ | masculine |
| mácula | /ˈmakula/ | feminine |
| churretón | /t͡ʃureton/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The primary word for a discoloured spot or area is mancha. Related to this, the verb manchar means to stain something physically or to taint or tarnish someone's reputation or character.
Which one should you use?
While mancha is the standard word for a physical stain, mácula is a much more formal or technical term often used in literary or scientific contexts. Other specific terms include lamparón, rodal and churretón.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun mancha is feminine, so you must use feminine articles and adjectives, such as la mancha or una mancha.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmantʃa/
Did you know?
- While mancha is common, the word mácula is often reserved for the 'immaculate' in religious contexts, as in the 'Immaculate Conception' or Inmaculada Concepción.
- The word lamparón for a stain is derived from lámpara, the Spanish word for 'lamp'.
- The term mácula shares a distant linguistic connection with the English word 'macula', a term used in anatomy to describe a spot on the retina.
Examples in context
- Esta mancha no sale.This stain won't come out.This sentence shows how to describe a stain that cannot be removed using mancha.Tatoeba #1080375 by hayastan, translation #58106 by CK
- Tu cuello tiene una mancha.Your collar has a stain on it.This sentence describes a stain located on a collar using mancha.Tatoeba #3575332 by ficion, translation #17397 by CK
- La mancha de tinta no se sale.The ink stain will not wash out.This sentence describes an ink stain that will not wash out using mancha.Tatoeba #1510035 by marcelostockle, translation #65759 by CM
- El mantel tiene una mancha de salsaThe tablecloth has a sauce stain.
- La alfombra tiene una mancha de caféThe carpet has a coffee stain.
- ¡Mira este manchón de grasa en mi pantalón nuevo!Look at this grease stain on my new pants!
- Esa bebida derramada dejó un manchón en la mesaThat spilled drink left a stain on the table.
- Limpié el manchurrón de salsa en mi camisaI cleaned the sauce stain off my shirt.
- El pastel cayó y dejó un manchurrón en el sueloThe cake fell and left a blot on the floor.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are in the kitchen looking at a new tablecloth.
- JavierSofía, mira esta mancha en la tela.Sofía, look at this stain on the fabric.
- SofíaEs una mancha muy pequeña, Javier.It is a very small stain, Javier.
- JavierNo me gusta cómo se ve la mancha.I don't like how the stain looks.
- SofíaNo te preocupes, la lavaremos pronto.Don't worry, we will wash it soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stain” translations and entries mancha, lamparón, rodal, mácula, churretón, 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 lamparón, mancha, mácula, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
