plomo
Lemma Details
Translation: lead (metal); bullet; plumb; plummet
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: From Latin 'plumbum', which was the name for the metal lead. This Latin root also gave English words like 'plumber' (originally workers who installed lead pipes), 'plumbing', and 'plumb' (a weight on a string used to determine vertical alignment). The chemical symbol for lead, Pb, also comes from this Latin word.
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Mnemonics
- Think of a 'plumber' working with lead pipes (plomo).
- The heaviness of lead can help remember 'plomo' - it's a heavy, dense metal that 'plummets' down.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
In some Latin American countries, particularly in urban slang, 'plomo' is used to refer to bullets or gunfire. The phrase 'echar plomo' (literally 'to throw lead') means to shoot at someone. In construction and home improvement contexts, it refers to the metal used in plumbing and other applications.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Plomo' means 'lead' (the metal), while 'pluma' means 'feather' or 'pen'. They look and sound similar but have completely different meanings.
This word:
Este objeto es pesado porque está hecho de plomo.
This object is heavy because it's made of lead.
Notes: The contrast between these words is striking - one represents one of the heaviest common metals, while the other represents something extremely light (a feather).
Mnemonic: 'Plomo' is heavy like lead, while 'pluma' is light like a feather.
Explanation: 'Plomo' is the metal lead, while 'plomero' is a plumber (someone who works with pipes, historically made of lead).
Notes: 'Plomero' is derived from 'plomo', reflecting the historical use of lead in plumbing.
Mnemonic: 'Plomero' (plumber) works with pipes that were historically made of 'plomo' (lead).