Pollution vocabulary in Spanish, covering types, sources, effects, and solutions to describe and discuss environmental issues.
Pollution is a critical environmental issue that affects the health of our planet and all living beings. Understanding pollution-related vocabulary in Spanish is essential for discussing causes, effects, and potential solutions. This guide covers key terms across different types of pollution, sources, impacts, and ways to combat it.
There are several types of pollution, each affecting the environment in different ways. Here are the main types:
| Spanish Singular / Plural | English Singular / Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| contaminación / contaminaciones | pollution / pollutions | La contaminación del aire es muy peligrosa. | Air pollution is very dangerous. |
| contaminación del aire | air pollution | La contaminación del aire causa problemas respiratorios. | Air pollution causes respiratory problems. |
| contaminación del agua | water pollution | La contaminación del agua afecta a los peces. | Water pollution affects fish. |
| contaminación del suelo | soil pollution | La contaminación del suelo impide el crecimiento de plantas. | Soil pollution prevents plant growth. |
| contaminación acústica | noise pollution | La contaminación acústica afecta el sueño. | Noise pollution affects sleep. |
| contaminación lumínica | light pollution | La contaminación lumínica dificulta ver las estrellas. | Light pollution makes it hard to see the stars. |
La contaminación ___ afecta a los peces.
What type of pollution affects water?
del agua
'Contaminación del agua' means 'water pollution', which affects aquatic life.
Pollution comes from various human activities and natural sources. Here are some common origins:
| Spanish Singular / Plural | English Singular / Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| fábrica / fábricas | factory / factories | Las fábricas producen mucho humo. | Factories produce a lot of smoke. |
| vehículo / vehículos | vehicle / vehicles | Los vehículos emiten gases contaminantes. | Vehicles emit polluting gases. |
| central eléctrica / centrales eléctricas | power plant / power plants | Las centrales eléctricas usan combustibles fósiles. | Power plants use fossil fuels. |
| vertedero / vertederos | landfill / landfills | Los vertederos contaminan el suelo. | Landfills pollute the soil. |
| derrame de petróleo | oil spill | El derrame de petróleo dañó la costa. | The oil spill damaged the coast. |
| basura / residuos | trash / waste | La basura provoca contaminación si no se recicla. | Trash causes pollution if not recycled. |
El derrame de ___ dañó la costa.
How do you say 'oil spill' in Spanish?
petróleo
'Derrame de petróleo' means 'oil spill'.
Pollution has harmful effects on health, ecosystems, and the climate. These terms describe the consequences:
| Spanish Singular / Plural | English Singular / Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| daño / daños | damage / damages | La contaminación causa daños a la salud. | Pollution causes health damage. |
| enfermedad / enfermedades | illness / illnesses | Muchas enfermedades respiratorias se deben a la contaminación. | Many respiratory illnesses are due to pollution. |
| alergia / alergias | allergy / allergies | La contaminación puede provocar alergias. | Pollution can cause allergies. |
| calentamiento global | global warming | El calentamiento global es causado por gases contaminantes. | Global warming is caused by polluting gases. |
| efecto invernadero | greenhouse effect | El efecto invernadero eleva la temperatura terrestre. | The greenhouse effect raises Earth's temperature. |
| extinción de especies | species extinction | La contaminación contribuye a la extinción de especies. | Pollution contributes to species extinction. |
El ___ global es causado por gases contaminantes.
How do you say 'global warming' in Spanish?
calentamiento
'Calentamiento global' means 'global warming'.
These terms are useful for talking about how to reduce and manage pollution:
| Spanish Singular / Plural | English Singular / Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| reciclaje | recycling | El reciclaje ayuda a reducir la contaminación. | Recycling helps reduce pollution. |
| tratamiento de residuos | waste treatment | El tratamiento de residuos evita la contaminación. | Waste treatment prevents pollution. |
| energía renovable | renewable energy | La energía renovable es limpia y sostenible. | Renewable energy is clean and sustainable. |
| filtro / filtros | filter / filters | Las fábricas usan filtros para disminuir emisiones. | Factories use filters to reduce emissions. |
| regulación ambiental | environmental regulation | La regulación ambiental controla la contaminación. | Environmental regulation controls pollution. |
| educación ambiental | environmental education | La educación ambiental crea conciencia sobre la contaminación. | Environmental education raises awareness about pollution. |
These organizations and concepts are commonly mentioned in discussions about pollution and environmental protection:
| Spanish Singular / Plural | English Singular / Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| organismo ambiental / organismos ambientales | environmental organization / organizations | Los organismos ambientales luchan contra la contaminación. | Environmental organizations fight against pollution. |
| activista ambiental / activistas ambientales | environmental activist / activists | Los activistas ambientales promueven el reciclaje. | Environmental activists promote recycling. |
| ley ambiental / leyes ambientales | environmental law / laws | Las leyes ambientales protegen la naturaleza. | Environmental laws protect nature. |
| acuerdo ambiental / acuerdos ambientales | environmental agreement / agreements | Los acuerdos ambientales buscan reducir las emisiones. | Environmental agreements aim to reduce emissions. |
| desarrollo sostenible | sustainable development | El desarrollo sostenible equilibra economía y ecología. | Sustainable development balances economy and ecology. |
| conciencia ambiental | environmental awareness | La conciencia ambiental es clave para cambiar hábitos. | Environmental awareness is key to changing habits. |
Understanding these terms will help you describe pollution in Spanish, participate in environmental conversations, and contribute to global efforts to protect our planet.
Last updated: Thu Jun 5, 2025
