fábrica em 30 segundos
- Fábrica means factory, a place for industrial production.
- It is a feminine noun (la fábrica) and a common false friend for 'fabric'.
- Commonly used with verbs like trabajar, abrir, cerrar, and producir.
- Essential for discussing economy, labor, and urban geography in Spanish.
The Spanish word fábrica is a fundamental noun that primarily translates to "factory" or "manufacturing plant" in English. It refers to a building or group of buildings where goods are manufactured or assembled chiefly by machine. In a broader sense, it represents the heart of industrial production. Unlike the English word "fabric" (which means cloth and is translated as tela in Spanish), fábrica is strictly associated with the physical site of production. Understanding this word is crucial for discussing economy, labor, and history in the Spanish-speaking world.
- Industrial Context
- A place where raw materials are transformed into finished products using labor and machinery.
- Historical Significance
- Refers to the structures built during the industrial revolution that changed the landscape of cities like Barcelona or Bilbao.
- Architectural Usage
- In older texts, it can refer to the construction or the 'fabric' of a building (the materials and method of building).
"La fábrica de automóviles emplea a más de mil personas en esta región."
"Trabajo en una fábrica de conservas cerca del puerto."
"La antigua fábrica de tabaco ahora es un centro cultural."
"Han cerrado la fábrica de muebles por falta de pedidos."
"Visitamos una fábrica de chocolate durante nuestra excursión escolar."
In contemporary Spanish, the word extends beyond just heavy industry. You might hear of a fábrica de ideas (a factory of ideas/think tank) or fábrica de sueños (dream factory, often referring to Hollywood or the film industry). This metaphorical use highlights the concept of 'production' or 'creation' on a large scale. Whether it is a fábrica de harina (flour mill) or a fábrica de software, the core concept remains a centralized place of creation and output.
Using the word fábrica correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a noun and the common verbs that accompany it. Since it is a feminine noun, always use feminine articles and adjectives: la fábrica moderna, una fábrica abandonada. The most common verbs used with this word are trabajar (to work), abrir (to open), cerrar (to close), construir (to build), and dirigir (to manage/run).
- Trabajar en una fábrica: Used to describe employment. "Mi abuelo trabajó en la fábrica de acero toda su vida."
- Montar una fábrica: To set up or establish a factory. "El empresario decidió montar una fábrica de calzado."
- Producción de fábrica: Refers to mass-produced items as opposed to handmade (artesanal).
When specifying what the factory produces, use the preposition de followed by the product: fábrica de cerveza (brewery), fábrica de vidrio (glass factory), fábrica de armamento (arms factory). In technical or business contexts, you might encounter the word planta as a synonym, but fábrica remains the most common term for the general public.
Interestingly, in the context of construction and architecture, obra de fábrica refers to masonry work (bricks, stones, mortar). While this is a more specialized use, it shows the word's deep roots in the concept of 'making' or 'building'. In everyday conversation, however, stick to the industrial meaning to avoid confusion.
You will encounter fábrica in various settings, from daily news reports to casual conversations about work. In Spain and Latin America, industrial zones (known as polígonos industriales) are common on the outskirts of cities, and you will see signs pointing toward various fábricas. In the news, the word often appears in economic segments discussing industrial output (producción fabril), strikes (huelgas en la fábrica), or environmental regulations.
In popular culture, the word is immortalized in literature and film that deals with the working class. For example, social realist novels often depict the harsh conditions of the fábrica in the early 20th century. In modern media, you might hear it in documentaries about how things are made (¿Cómo se fabrica?). It is also a common word in the context of urban exploration, where people visit fábricas abandonadas to take photographs or document industrial decay.
In a business environment, managers talk about costes de fábrica (factory costs) or salida de fábrica (ex-factory price). If you are traveling, you might visit a fábrica de alfajores in Argentina or a fábrica de puros in Cuba as part of a cultural tour. The word is ubiquitous because it touches on labor, economy, and the physical reality of the objects we use daily.
The single most common mistake for English speakers is the false friend error. Because "fábrica" looks like "fabric," learners often say "Compré una fábrica de seda" when they mean "I bought silk fabric." The correct word for cloth/fabric is tela or tejido. Remember: La fábrica hace la tela (The factory makes the fabric).
Another mistake is confusing fábrica with taller. While both are places where things are made, a taller is usually a workshop or a smaller space (like a car repair shop or an artist's studio), whereas a fábrica implies large-scale industrial machinery and mass production. Using fábrica for a small artisan's shop might sound hyperbolic.
Gender errors are also frequent. Some learners might mistakenly use the masculine article (el fábrica) because many nouns ending in 'a' in other contexts might be confusing, but fábrica is strictly feminine. Lastly, avoid using factoría unless you are in a very specific technical or historical context; while it is a valid word, it is much less common than fábrica in standard Spanish.
To enrich your vocabulary, it is helpful to know words related to fábrica. Industria is a broader term that encompasses the entire sector (e.g., la industria automotriz). Planta is often used in engineering or corporate settings to refer to the physical facility (e.g., la planta de ensamblaje). Manufactura refers to the process of making things, often specifically by hand or in a way that adds value to raw materials.
For smaller scales, use taller (workshop) or obrador (specifically for bakeries or artisanal food production). If you are talking about a place where energy is produced, use central (e.g., central eléctrica, central nuclear). In the context of a mill, you would use molino (e.g., molino de harina), although a large industrial flour producer would still be a fábrica de harina.
Adjectives related to fábrica include fabril (industrial/factory-related, as in el cinturón fabril - the industrial belt) and industrial. Understanding these nuances allows you to be more precise. For instance, you wouldn't call a small watchmaker's shop a fábrica; you would call it a taller de relojería. Conversely, you wouldn't call a massive Boeing facility a taller; it is a fábrica or a planta de aviación.
How Formal Is It?
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Nível de dificuldade
Gramática essencial
Exemplos por nível
La fábrica es muy grande.
The factory is very big.
Feminine singular noun.
Yo trabajo en una fábrica.
I work in a factory.
Use of preposition 'en'.
Hay una fábrica de pan aquí.
There is a bread factory here.
'De' indicates the product.
Mi hermano busca trabajo en la fábrica.
My brother is looking for work at the factory.
Definite article 'la'.
La fábrica cierra a las seis.
The factory closes at six.
Present tense verb 'cerrar'.
Es una fábrica nueva.
It is a new factory.
Adjective agreement (nueva).
Vemos la fábrica desde el coche.
We see the factory from the car.
Direct object.
Las fábricas están lejos.
The factories are far away.
Plural form 'fábricas'.
Esta fábrica produce coches eléctricos.
This factory produces electric cars.
Verb 'producir' in present tense.
Fuimos a visitar una fábrica de queso.
We went to visit a cheese factory.
Preterite tense 'fuimos'.
La fábrica de mi pueblo es muy antigua.
The factory in my town is very old.
Possessive 'de mi pueblo'.
No me gusta el ruido de la fábrica.
I don't like the noise from the factory.
Verb 'gustar' with 'el ruido'.
Muchos obreros trabajan en la fábrica.
Many workers work in the factory.
Noun 'obreros' (workers).
La fábrica está al final de la calle.
The factory is at the end of the street.
Prepositional phrase of location.
Mi abuelo era jefe en la fábrica.
My grandfather was a boss at the factory.
Imperfect tense 'era'.
¿Dónde está la fábrica de muebles?
Where is the furniture factory?
Interrogative sentence.
La fábrica ha reducido sus emisiones este año.
The factory has reduced its emissions this year.
Present perfect tense.
Si la fábrica cierra, muchas personas perderán su empleo.
If the factory closes, many people will lose their jobs.
First conditional.
Es necesario modernizar la maquinaria de la fábrica.
It is necessary to modernize the factory's machinery.
Infinitive after 'es necesario'.
La fábrica fue construida en los años cincuenta.
The factory was built in the fifties.
Passive voice.
Me sorprende que la fábrica sea tan silenciosa.
It surprises me that the factory is so quiet.
Subjunctive after 'me sorprende que'.
La huelga en la fábrica duró tres semanas.
The strike at the factory lasted three weeks.
Noun 'huelga' (strike).
La fábrica exporta sus productos a toda Europa.
The factory exports its products to all of Europe.
Verb 'exportar'.
Han transformado la vieja fábrica en un museo.
They have transformed the old factory into a museum.
Verb 'transformar'.
El sector fabril ha experimentado un crecimiento notable.
The manufacturing sector has experienced notable growth.
Adjective 'fabril'.
La fábrica cumple con todas las normativas de seguridad.
The factory complies with all safety regulations.
Phrase 'cumplir con'.
La automatización de la fábrica ha generado debate.
The automation of the factory has sparked debate.
Noun 'automatización'.
Se rumorea que la fábrica va a ser deslocalizada.
It is rumored that the factory is going to be outsourced/relocated.
Passive 'se' and 'deslocalizada'.
La fábrica es el motor económico de esta comarca.
The factory is the economic engine of this region.
Metaphorical use 'motor económico'.
A pesar de la crisis, la fábrica mantuvo su producción.
Despite the crisis, the factory maintained its production.
Conjunction 'a pesar de'.
La dirección de la fábrica anunció nuevos turnos.
The factory management announced new shifts.
Noun 'dirección' (management).
La fábrica vierte sus residuos de forma controlada.
The factory discharges its waste in a controlled manner.
Verb 'verter' (to pour/discharge).
La arqueología industrial estudia los restos de estas fábricas.
Industrial archaeology studies the remains of these factories.
Academic term 'arqueología industrial'.
El declive de la fábrica supuso el fin de una era.
The decline of the factory meant the end of an era.
Verb 'suponer' (to mean/entail).
La fábrica de la catedral es un ejemplo de maestría técnica.
The construction/fabric of the cathedral is an example of technical mastery.
Specialized architectural meaning of 'fábrica'.
La empresa optimizó la logística interna de la fábrica.
The company optimized the internal logistics of the factory.
Business vocabulary.
La fábrica se ha convertido en un símbolo de la lucha obrera.
The factory has become a symbol of the workers' struggle.
Sociopolitical context.
Es imperativo que la fábrica adopte tecnologías sostenibles.
It is imperative that the factory adopts sustainable technologies.
Subjunctive after 'es imperativo que'.
La fisonomía de la ciudad cambió con la llegada de las fábricas.
The physiognomy/appearance of the city changed with the arrival of factories.
Advanced vocabulary 'fisonomía'.
La fábrica operaba bajo un régimen de producción intensiva.
The factory operated under an intensive production regime.
Formal register.
La fábrica, como ente alienante, es un tema recurrente en la literatura.
The factory, as an alienating entity, is a recurring theme in literature.
Philosophical/literary analysis.
El tejido fabril se ha desmoronado ante la globalización.
The industrial fabric has crumbled in the face of globalization.
Metaphorical 'tejido fabril'.
La fábrica de la realidad se desdibuja en sus poemas.
The fabric of reality blurs in his poems.
Highly metaphorical/abstract use.
Se analizó la plusvalía generada en la fábrica textil.
The surplus value generated in the textile factory was analyzed.
Marxist economic term 'plusvalía'.
La fábrica es una amalgama de hierro, sudor y sueños rotos.
The factory is an amalgam of iron, sweat, and broken dreams.
Literary description.
La obsolescencia programada nace en el seno de la fábrica moderna.
Planned obsolescence is born within the modern factory.
Complex concept 'obsolescencia programada'.
La fábrica de moneda y timbre custodia la soberanía económica.
The mint (money and stamp factory) guards economic sovereignty.
Specific institution name.
La dialéctica entre el hombre y la fábrica define el siglo XX.
The dialectic between man and the factory defines the 20th century.
Academic/Philosophical register.
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
Trabajar en la fábrica
Ir a la fábrica
Una fábrica de...
Montar una fábrica
La fábrica abre sus puertas
Precio de fábrica
Defecto de fábrica
Fábrica de ideas
Fábrica de sueños
En plena fábrica
Frequentemente confundido com
Expressões idiomáticas
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Fácil de confundir
Padrões de frases
Como usar
Can refer to a place where anything is produced in large quantities (e.g., 'fábrica de mentiras').
In some parts of Latin America, 'factoría' is used more often due to English influence, but 'fábrica' is universally understood.
- Saying 'el fábrica' instead of 'la fábrica'.
- Using 'fábrica' to mean 'fabric' (cloth).
- Confusing 'fábrica' with 'taller' for small shops.
- Forgetting the accent on the 'á'.
- Using 'factoría' in casual conversation where 'fábrica' is more natural.
Dicas
Avoid the False Friend
Always remember: Fábrica = Factory. Tela = Fabric. This is the most common error for English speakers.
Gender Agreement
Since it ends in 'a' and is feminine, ensure all adjectives match: 'la fábrica antigua'.
The Accent Mark
The accent on the 'á' is vital. It tells you to stress the first syllable: FÁ-bri-ca.
Specifying Products
Use the pattern 'fábrica de + [noun]' to describe what is made there (e.g., fábrica de conservas).
Industrial Zones
In Spain, look for signs saying 'Polígono Industrial' to find the area where the fábricas are located.
Business Spanish
In a professional setting, 'planta' might be used to refer to the specific production site.
Describing Processes
Use the verb 'fabricar' to describe the action of making things in a factory.
Context Clues
If you hear 'fábrica' in a news report, it's likely about the economy, labor, or pollution.
Mnemonic
Think of 'Fabrication'. You fabricate things in a fábrica.
Metaphors
Use 'fábrica de...' metaphorically to describe a person or place that produces a lot of something.
Memorize
Mnemônico
Imagine a FABulous factory making cars. FÁBrica = FABrication site.
Origem da palavra
From Latin 'fabrica'
Contexto cultural
The 'Real Fábrica de Tapices' in Madrid is a famous historical institution.
The term 'maquiladora' is a specific type of factory for export.
The 'fábricas recuperadas' (worker-recovered factories) are a unique social movement.
Pratique na vida real
Contextos reais
Iniciadores de conversa
"¿Hay muchas fábricas en tu ciudad?"
"¿Alguna vez has visitado una fábrica de comida?"
"¿Crees que las fábricas contaminan demasiado?"
"¿Te gustaría trabajar en una fábrica moderna?"
"¿Qué se fabrica principalmente en tu país?"
Temas para diário
Describe cómo imaginas que es el interior de una fábrica de chocolate.
Escribe sobre el impacto de una fábrica en un pequeño pueblo.
¿Prefieres productos artesanales o de fábrica? ¿Por qué?
Imagina que eres el dueño de una fábrica. ¿Qué producirías?
Reflexiona sobre cómo la tecnología está cambiando las fábricas.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, 'fábrica' means 'factory'. The Spanish word for 'fabric' is 'tela'.
It is feminine: 'la fábrica'.
It is a metaphorical term for a 'think tank' or a place where many ideas are generated.
Yes, but 'fábrica' is much more common in everyday Spanish.
You can say 'obrero' or 'trabajador de la fábrica'.
It means 'factory price', usually implying it is cheaper because there are no middlemen.
The plural is 'fábricas'.
The verb is 'fabricar'.
No, a 'taller' is usually a smaller workshop, while a 'fábrica' is a large industrial facility.
It is the study of historical factories and industrial sites.
Teste-se 180 perguntas
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'fábrica' is the standard Spanish term for a factory. Remember it is a feminine noun and never use it to mean 'fabric' (which is 'tela'). It is central to industrial and economic vocabulary.
- Fábrica means factory, a place for industrial production.
- It is a feminine noun (la fábrica) and a common false friend for 'fabric'.
- Commonly used with verbs like trabajar, abrir, cerrar, and producir.
- Essential for discussing economy, labor, and urban geography in Spanish.
Avoid the False Friend
Always remember: Fábrica = Factory. Tela = Fabric. This is the most common error for English speakers.
Gender Agreement
Since it ends in 'a' and is feminine, ensure all adjectives match: 'la fábrica antigua'.
The Accent Mark
The accent on the 'á' is vital. It tells you to stress the first syllable: FÁ-bri-ca.
Specifying Products
Use the pattern 'fábrica de + [noun]' to describe what is made there (e.g., fábrica de conservas).
Exemplo
In context, `fábrica` expresses: factory.
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