cera
/ˈθeɾa/feminine
The English word 'wax' is translated into Spanish as cera. Wiktionary also lists esperma.
Meaning: oily, water-resistant substance (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cera | /ˈθeɾa/ /ˈseɾa/ |
feminine |
| esperma | /esˈpeɾma/ | feminine, masculine |
The term refers to an oily, water-resistant substance. You can use the adjective de cera to describe something made of wax, or the verb encerar to mean the action of coating something with wax.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word cera is a feminine noun. Its plural form is ceras.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈθeɾa/
Did you know?
- The word esperma is used in Spanish to refer specifically to spermaceti wax from whales, but using it in a general context can lead to confusion since it is also the word for 'semen'.
- The word cera is inherited from the Latin cēra, which was the same word used for the wax tablets Romans used for writing before paper became common.
- In the context of ears, Spanish uses the term cerumen for the actual substance, while cera is the common colloquial term used by most people.
Examples in context
- Las abejas son unos animales muy útiles porque producen miel, cera y polinizan las flores.Bees are very useful animals because they produce honey, wax, and pollinate flowers.This sentence is useful for mentioning the various products bees produce, such as cera.Tatoeba #10137027 by saverius, translation #12946184 by saverius
- Quemar la vela por ambos extremos la reduce a cera muy deprisa – igual que un mujeriego que tuviese una mujer atractiva en cada brazo.Burning the candle at both ends reduces the candle to wax in a hurry – just like a playboy having a pretty girl on each arm.This sentence uses cera to describe the result of a candle burning.Tatoeba #1979829 by camilou, translation #29461 by AlanF_US
- La cera se solidificó.The wax solidified.This sentence shows the use of cera in a sentence describing a solidification process.Tatoeba #12033790 by Amastan, translation #11193645 by Amastan
- Me gusta la vela hecha de cera natural.I like the candle made of natural wax.
- Debo quitarme la cera del cuerpo.I need to remove the body wax.
- Este bálsamo contiene cera de abeja.This balm contains beeswax.
- Usamos cera de abeja para hacer velas artesanales.We use beeswax to make handmade candles.
- ¿Dónde puedo comprar cera depilatoria?Where can I buy depilatory wax?
- Olvidé traer la cera depilatoria.I forgot to bring the hair removal wax.
- Esta vela tiene una cera aromática y suave.This candle has aromatic and smooth wax.
- La cera depilatoria nueva es muy eficaz.The new hair removal wax is very effective.
- Podemos encerar el auto este fin de semana.We can wax the car this weekend.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are cleaning a candle holder.
- ElenaHay mucha cera en la mesa.There is a lot of wax on the table.
- DanielSí, Daniel derramó la vela ayer.Yes, Daniel spilled the candle yesterday.
- ElenaUsa un papel para quitar la cera.Use a paper towel to remove the wax.
- DanielLo haré ahora mismo, Elena.I will do it right now, Elena.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wax” translations and entries cera, esperma, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cera, esperma, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
