fábrica
Lemma Details
Translation: factory; plant; manufacturing facility; mill; works
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: From Latin 'fabrica' meaning 'workshop, art, trade, craft', derived from 'faber' (craftsman, artisan). The English cognate 'fabric' shares this Latin root, though it evolved to refer to cloth or material rather than the place of manufacturing. The Spanish term retained the original meaning of a place where things are made. The Latin 'faber' is also related to English words like 'fabricate' (to make or construct).
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Trabaja en una fábrica de automóviles.
He works in a car factory.
La fábrica produce miles de zapatos cada día.
The factory produces thousands of shoes every day.
La fábrica cerró y muchos perdieron sus empleos.
The factory closed and many lost their jobs.
Visitamos una fábrica de chocolate durante el tour.
We visited a chocolate factory during the tour.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'fabric' being made in a 'fábrica'
- The accent on the 'á' sounds like the 'a' in 'fabric'
- Remember 'fabricate' (to make) - a fábrica is where things are fabricated
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, 'fábrica' has been central to economic development and industrialization narratives. In some regions, historic factories (especially textile mills) have been converted into cultural centers or museums, preserving industrial heritage.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Fábrica' is the noun (the factory itself) while 'fabricar' is the verb (to manufacture).
This word:
La fábrica está en las afueras de la ciudad.
The factory is on the outskirts of the city.
Notes: The accent mark in 'fábrica' falls on the first syllable, while in conjugated forms of 'fabricar' it may fall on different syllables.
Mnemonic: Fábrica ends with 'a' like many feminine nouns, while fabricar ends with 'r' like verbs in their infinitive form.
Explanation: While 'fábrica' means factory, 'tela' means fabric/cloth (which is what English 'fabric' means).
This word:
Visitamos la fábrica donde hacen los coches.
We visited the factory where they make cars.
Notes: This is a classic false friend between Spanish and English.
Mnemonic: Remember: Spanish 'fábrica' = English 'factory'; Spanish 'tela' = English 'fabric'