electricidad estática
/eleɡtɾiθiˌdad esˈtatika/feminine
The English phrase static electricity is translated into Spanish as electricidad estática.
electricidad estática is a common and widely recognized term for static electricity.
Meaning: an electric charge (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a direct calque of the English term, where electricidad means 'electricity' and estática means 'static'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun electricidad is feminine, so the definite article must be la and the adjective estática must end in '-a'.
How do you pronounce it?
/eleɡtɾiθiˌdad esˈtatika/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may mistakenly use the masculine form estático instead of the feminine estática to match the feminine noun electricidad.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, a static shock is colloquially called a chispazo, which literally means 'a little spark'.
- The adjective estática comes from the Greek 'statikos', meaning 'causing to stand', which is why it is used to describe electricity that stays in one place.
- The word estática is also the name of a branch of physics that studies objects at rest, making the term a double entendre in scientific contexts.
Examples in context
- La electricidad estática comenzó a erizarnos el pelo.The static electricity started to make our hair stand on end.This sentence shows how static electricity can make hair stand on end using electricidad estática.Tatoeba #13726004 by Seael, translation #13728615 by rul
- Los antiguos griegos conocían la electricidad estática.Ancient Greeks knew about static electricity.This sentence mentions that the ancient Greeks knew about electricidad estática.Tatoeba #6616230 by arh, translation #9524942 by DJ_Saidez
- La electricidad estática puede causar descargas desagradablesStatic electricity can cause unpleasant shocks
- ¡Cuidado con la estática!Watch out for the static!
- Siento mucha electricidad estática al caminar sobre la alfombra.I feel a lot of static electricity when walking on the carpet.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are in a living room during a dry winter day.
- Daniel¿Sentiste ese pequeño chispazo al tocar la puerta?Did you feel that little spark when touching the door?
- MaríaSí, es la electricidad estática por el clima seco.Yes, it is the static electricity because of the dry weather.
- DanielMaría, parece que la ropa también tiene mucha.María, it seems like the clothes have a lot of it too.
- MaríaTienes razón, Daniel, mi suéter está muy cargado.You are right, Daniel, my sweater is very charged.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “static electricity” translations and entries electricidad estática, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
