At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'sintético' very often, but you will see it on clothing labels when you go shopping in Spain or Latin America. Think of it as a word that means 'not natural.' When you see 'fibra sintética' on a shirt, it usually means it is made of polyester or plastic-like materials. You might also hear it when talking about 'césped sintético' (fake grass) on a small soccer field. At this stage, just remember that it ends in -o for masculine things and -a for feminine things. For example, 'un material sintético' and 'una alfombra sintética.' It is a useful word to recognize so you know what you are buying. Don't worry about the scientific details yet; just think of it as 'man-made.'
At the A2 level, you can start using 'sintético' to describe objects around you. When you are describing your house or your clothes, you can say 'Mi chaqueta es de material sintético' (My jacket is made of synthetic material). You are learning to distinguish between natural things like 'algodón' (cotton) or 'madera' (wood) and man-made things. You might also encounter this word in simple news stories about the environment. Remember the written accent on the 'e' (sintético). It is important because it tells you where to put the stress when you speak. Practice saying it: sin-TÉ-ti-co. It is a great word to add variety to your descriptions so you don't always just say 'es de plástico.'
At the B1 level, 'sintético' becomes a very useful word for discussing more complex topics like the environment, health, and technology. You should be able to use it to talk about 'drogas sintéticas' in a discussion about social issues or 'diamantes sintéticos' when talking about luxury and technology. You will also start using the word in its abstract sense. For example, if you are writing a summary for a class, your teacher might ask for a 'resumen sintético' (a concise summary). This means you need to take a lot of information and make it short and clear. You should also be careful with the plural forms: 'productos sintéticos' and 'fibras sintéticas.' This level is where you move from just knowing the word to using it correctly in different contexts.
At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'sintético' with precision. You should understand the difference between 'sintético' and 'artificial.' You might use it in technical debates, such as the benefits of 'combustibles sintéticos' for the aviation industry or the ethics of 'biología sintética.' You will also use it more frequently in academic writing to describe a 'método sintético' of research, which means looking at how different parts come together to form a whole. Your pronunciation should be perfect, and you should never forget the written accent. You are now able to use the word to express nuance, such as describing a 'fragancia sintética' in a critique of a perfume, implying it lacks the depth of natural oils.
At the C1 level, 'sintético' is a standard part of your academic and professional vocabulary. You use it to discuss complex linguistic theories, such as the difference between 'lenguas sintéticas' (like Latin or Russian) and 'lenguas analíticas' (like English or Chinese). You might also use it in philosophical contexts to discuss the 'juicios sintéticos' of Immanuel Kant. In professional settings, you might describe a colleague's 'capacidad sintética' as a major strength, meaning they can analyze vast amounts of data and present the core findings effectively. You understand the subtle connotations the word can have in different fields, from organic chemistry to modern art, and you can use it to build sophisticated arguments.
At the C2 level, you have a total mastery of 'sintético' and its entire word family. You can effortlessly switch between its material, linguistic, and philosophical meanings. You might engage in deep discussions about the 'evolución sintética' of species or the 'síntesis' of diverse cultural influences in literature. You can use the word in highly formal contexts, such as a scientific paper or a legal document regarding 'patentes de compuestos sintéticos.' You also recognize the word's role in historical movements, such as 'Cubismo Sintético.' Your usage is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, and you can use the word to create elegant, precise, and impactful sentences in any register, from technical manuals to high-level journalism.

sintético em 30 segundos

  • Sintético means man-made via chemical processes.
  • It can also mean concise or summarized in academic contexts.
  • It is a four-form adjective: sintético, sintética, sintéticos, sintéticas.
  • Always remember the written accent on the 'e' (sintético).

The Spanish adjective sintético is a versatile term that primarily describes something produced through chemical synthesis rather than occurring naturally. In a world increasingly dominated by advanced manufacturing, this word appears everywhere from the labels on your clothing to scientific journals discussing the latest pharmacological breakthroughs. At its core, it refers to the process of 'putting together' (from the Greek roots syn meaning 'together' and tithenai meaning 'to place'). When you encounter a material like polyester or nylon, you are looking at a fibra sintética. However, the word extends beyond just chemistry and textiles.

Industrial Context
In manufacturing, it refers to man-made materials designed to replicate or improve upon natural ones, such as synthetic rubber or synthetic leather (cuero sintético).

El informe destaca el uso de un nuevo combustible sintético para reducir las emisiones de carbono.

Beyond the physical, sintético is used in linguistics and philosophy to describe a concise summary or a method of reasoning that proceeds from parts to a whole. A 'pensamiento sintético' is the ability to distill complex information into a brief, coherent summary. This dual nature—material vs. abstract—makes it a crucial word for B1 learners to master as they move from basic descriptions to more technical or academic discussions. Whether you are shopping for a jacket and checking if it is made of 'piel sintética' (faux leather) or reading a news article about 'drogas sintéticas', the word carries a weight of modernity and human intervention.

Linguistic Context
In grammar, a 'lenguaje sintético' is one where words change form (inflection) to show their role, like Latin, as opposed to using many separate words.

Ella tiene una capacidad de análisis muy profunda y un estilo sintético al escribir.

Historically, the term gained massive popularity during the industrial revolution and the subsequent plastic age. In Spain and Latin America, the rise of 'materiales sintéticos' transformed the economy, allowing for mass production of affordable goods. Today, the conversation has shifted toward sustainability, where 'bioplásticos sintéticos' are being developed to solve the environmental issues caused by their predecessors. Understanding this word allows you to participate in debates about technology, environment, and even art, where 'belleza sintética' might refer to something curated or digitally enhanced.

Using sintético correctly requires attention to gender and number agreement, as it is a standard four-form adjective. It must match the noun it modifies: sintético (masculine singular), sintética (feminine singular), sintéticos (masculine plural), and sintéticas (feminine plural). Unlike English, where 'synthetic' is invariable, Spanish requires this harmony.

Material Placement
Usually, 'sintético' follows the noun. Example: 'Un diamante sintético' (A synthetic diamond).

Las alfombras sintéticas son más fáciles de limpiar que las de lana.

When describing a summary or a brief piece of writing, you might use it to describe the text itself. For instance, 'Hizo un resumen muy sintético de la reunión' (He made a very concise summary of the meeting). Here, the word acts as a synonym for 'conciso' or 'breve', but with a nuance of being 'well-structured'. It implies that the person has successfully synthesized the main points into a logical whole.

El químico mezcló varios elementos sintéticos en el laboratorio.

In a medical or sports context, you might hear about 'esteroides sintéticos' or 'hormonas sintéticas'. These terms are extremely common in news reports regarding health or doping scandals. Note that in these cases, the word is almost always plural because it refers to a class of substances. If you are describing the origin of a medicine, you might say: 'Este fármaco no es natural, es de origen sintético'. This use of 'de origen' + adjective is a very natural-sounding structure for intermediate and advanced learners.

In daily life in Spanish-speaking countries, you are most likely to encounter sintético in commercial and scientific settings. If you go shopping at a store like Zara or Mango, the labels (etiquetas) will often list 'fibras sintéticas' or specifically 'poliéster' (which is a type of synthetic fiber). Shop assistants might use the term to explain why a product is cheaper or more durable than a natural alternative.

News and Media
Journalists often use 'drogas sintéticas' when reporting on the opioid crisis or the seizure of illegal substances like fentanyl or ecstasy.

La policía confiscó un cargamento de opioides sintéticos en el puerto.

In the world of sports, especially in Spain and Latin America, 'césped sintético' (artificial turf) is a very common phrase. Many local football (soccer) pitches are made of this material to save on maintenance and water. You will hear parents, players, and coaches discussing whether a game is on 'hierba natural' or 'campo sintético'. This is a very practical, everyday use of the word that every learner should know.

Prefiero jugar en césped natural porque el sintético quema la piel al caer.

Academic environments also utilize this word frequently. In a philosophy or literature class, a professor might praise a student's 'visión sintética' of a complex text, meaning the student was able to see the big picture and connect the dots efficiently. In chemistry or biology labs, 'sintético' is the standard term for any compound created by humans. Even in the kitchen, you might hear about 'aromas sintéticos' or 'edulcorantes sintéticos' (synthetic sweeteners) when discussing food processing and health.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is forgetting the written accent (tilde) on the 'e'. In Spanish, sintético is an 'esdrújula' word (stressed on the third-to-last syllable). All esdrújula words must have a written accent. Writing 'sintetico' without the tilde is a common orthographic mistake that marks a learner's level immediately. Pronunciation-wise, ensure the stress is clearly on that 'e': sin-TÉ-ti-co.

Confusion with 'Artificial'
While often interchangeable, 'sintético' specifically implies chemical synthesis, whereas 'artificial' can mean anything made by humans (even a wooden chair is artificial, but it's not synthetic).

No digas 'luz sintética' para referirte a las lámparas; lo correcto es 'luz artificial'.

Another mistake is using 'sintético' when you actually mean 'resumido'. While 'sintético' can mean concise, it usually implies a high-level intellectual synthesis. If you just want to say a movie was short or a story was shortened, 'resumido' or 'breve' is more natural. Using 'sintético' for a simple summary can sound overly formal or slightly 'off' in casual conversation. It is best reserved for formal writing, academic contexts, or technical descriptions.

¡Cuidado! 'Piel sintética' es cuero falso, no piel humana artificial.

Lastly, learners often struggle with the feminine plural form. Remember that if you are talking about 'fibras' (fibers), you must say 'sintéticas'. If you are talking about 'materiales' (materials), you must say 'sintéticos'. This gender matching is the 'bread and butter' of Spanish grammar and failing to do it with technical adjectives like this one can make your speech sound disjointed. Practice saying 'la fibra sintética' and 'el material sintético' until the rhythm feels natural to your ears.

To truly master the use of sintético, you should understand how it compares to its synonyms and related terms. Depending on the context—whether you're talking about fashion, science, or literature—one word might be more appropriate than another. Using the right alternative shows a higher level of fluency and a better grasp of Spanish nuances.

Artificial vs. Sintético
'Artificial' is the broad category for anything not natural. 'Sintético' is a sub-category specifically for things made via chemical processes. A wooden toy is artificial, but a plastic toy is synthetic.
Conciso vs. Sintético
In linguistics, 'conciso' means using few words. 'Sintético' means having the quality of a synthesis—it's more about the structure and the 'wrapping up' of ideas.

Este tejido no es natural, es químico (often used as a synonym in casual speech).

Other alternatives include postizo, which is used for things like hair (pelo postizo) or teeth (dientes postizos), where 'sintético' would sound too scientific. If you're talking about a fake emotion, you would use falso or fingido, never 'sintético'. In the world of art and design, manofacturado or elaborado might be used to emphasize the craftsmanship behind a man-made object. Understanding these boundaries prevents you from sounding like a textbook and helps you sound like a native speaker.

Buscamos una solución integral que sea, a la vez, muy sintética.

Finally, consider industrial. Often, products that are synthetic are described as 'productos industriales' to highlight the scale of their production. While 'sintético' focuses on the 'how' (chemical synthesis), 'industrial' focuses on the 'where' (the factory). By mixing these terms, you can describe the modern world with much greater precision and variety.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

While we use it mostly for plastic today, the word was originally a philosophical and mathematical term used by the Greeks long before chemistry existed.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /sɪnˈtɛ.ti.koʊ/
US /sinˈte.ti.ko/
Second syllable (té). It is an 'esdrújula' word.
Rima com
magnético poético estético atlético teórico numérico genérico apologético
Erros comuns
  • Stressing the first syllable (SIN-te-ti-co).
  • Stressing the last syllable (sin-te-ti-CO).
  • Pronouncing the 't' with a heavy English aspiration (it should be soft).
  • Forgetting the accent mark when writing.
  • Pronouncing 'i' like 'eye' instead of 'ee'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 3/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate 'synthetic'.

Escrita 4/5

The accent mark and gender agreement can be tricky.

Expressão oral 4/5

Requires correct stress on the third-to-last syllable.

Audição 3/5

Clear pronunciation usually makes it easy to catch.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

natural material hacer química resumen

Aprenda a seguir

artificial sintetizar síntesis polímero sostenible

Avançado

holístico epistemología inflexión morfema dialéctica

Gramática essencial

Adjective-Noun Agreement

La alfombra (fem) sintética (fem).

Accentuation of Esdrújula words

Sintético always has an accent because the stress is on the third-to-last syllable.

Adjective Position

Usually follows the noun: 'un material sintético'.

Adjectives as Nouns

El sintético es más barato (The synthetic [one] is cheaper).

Comparatives with Adjectives

Este es más sintético que aquel.

Exemplos por nível

1

Esta camiseta es de material sintético.

This t-shirt is made of synthetic material.

Material is masculine, so we use 'sintético'.

2

El césped del patio es sintético.

The grass in the patio is synthetic.

Césped is masculine singular.

3

No me gusta el cuero sintético.

I don't like synthetic leather.

Cuero is the noun being modified.

4

La alfombra es sintética.

The carpet is synthetic.

Alfombra is feminine, so the adjective ends in -a.

5

Es un producto sintético muy barato.

It is a very cheap synthetic product.

Adjective follows the noun 'producto'.

6

Tengo unas flores sintéticas en casa.

I have some synthetic flowers at home.

Flores is feminine plural.

7

Ese tejido es sintético.

That fabric is synthetic.

Tejido is masculine singular.

8

El color parece un poco sintético.

The color looks a bit synthetic (unnatural).

Used here to mean 'not natural-looking'.

1

Prefiero las fibras naturales a las sintéticas.

I prefer natural fibers over synthetic ones.

Note the contrast between 'naturales' and 'sintéticas'.

2

Este abrigo tiene piel sintética en el cuello.

This coat has synthetic fur on the collar.

Piel can mean skin or fur/leather.

3

Los materiales sintéticos son muy resistentes.

Synthetic materials are very resistant.

Plural agreement: materiales sintéticos.

4

Compré una esponja sintética para el baño.

I bought a synthetic sponge for the bathroom.

Esponja is feminine singular.

5

El aceite sintético es mejor para el coche.

Synthetic oil is better for the car.

Common technical term in car maintenance.

6

No es seda real, es un tejido sintético.

It's not real silk; it's a synthetic fabric.

Used to clarify the composition of an object.

7

Hay muchos diamantes sintéticos en la joyería.

There are many synthetic diamonds in the jewelry store.

Diamantes is masculine plural.

8

La suela del zapato es de caucho sintético.

The sole of the shoe is made of synthetic rubber.

Caucho is the Spanish word for rubber.

1

El profesor pidió un resumen sintético del libro.

The teacher asked for a concise summary of the book.

Abstract use meaning 'concise/summarized'.

2

Las drogas sintéticas son un grave problema de salud.

Synthetic drugs are a serious health problem.

Used in a social context.

3

Este perfume tiene un aroma sintético muy fuerte.

This perfume has a very strong synthetic scent.

Aroma is masculine: 'un aroma sintético'.

4

La industria utiliza muchos colorantes sintéticos.

The industry uses many synthetic dyes.

Colorantes is masculine plural.

5

Necesitamos un enfoque más sintético para este proyecto.

We need a more synthetic (holistic/concise) approach for this project.

Refers to a way of thinking or working.

6

El fentanilo es un opioide sintético extremadamente potente.

Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid.

Technical description of a substance.

7

Ella tiene una mente muy sintética y clara.

She has a very synthetic (structured) and clear mind.

Used as a positive intellectual trait.

8

Ese edulcorante sintético no tiene calorías.

That synthetic sweetener has no calories.

Edulcorante is a masculine noun.

1

La biología sintética permite rediseñar organismos.

Synthetic biology allows for the redesign of organisms.

Scientific field name.

2

El informe ofrece una visión sintética de la crisis.

The report offers a synthetic (comprehensive yet brief) view of the crisis.

Common in business and economics.

3

Los combustibles sintéticos podrían ser el futuro de la aviación.

Synthetic fuels could be the future of aviation.

Plural masculine agreement.

4

Prefiero el arte que no busca una perfección sintética.

I prefer art that doesn't seek a synthetic perfection.

Used here to mean 'artificial' or 'unnatural'.

5

El caucho sintético revolucionó la industria automotriz.

Synthetic rubber revolutionized the automotive industry.

Historical/Industrial context.

6

Su discurso fue sintético, pero muy emocionante.

His speech was concise, but very moving.

Focus on brevity and impact.

7

La empresa desarrolla nuevos polímeros sintéticos.

The company develops new synthetic polymers.

Technical chemistry term.

8

Es difícil distinguir el cuero natural del sintético.

It's hard to distinguish natural leather from synthetic.

Using 'del' (de + el) before the adjective.

1

El latín es una lengua mucho más sintética que el español.

Latin is a much more synthetic language than Spanish.

Linguistic term regarding inflection.

2

Kant analizó la naturaleza de los juicios sintéticos a priori.

Kant analyzed the nature of synthetic a priori judgments.

Deep philosophical terminology.

3

El Cubismo Sintético introdujo el uso del collage.

Synthetic Cubism introduced the use of collage.

Art history term.

4

Buscamos una capacidad sintética para liderar el departamento.

We are looking for a synthetic capacity (to summarize and integrate) to lead the department.

Professional skill description.

5

La teoría de la evolución sintética integra la genética.

The synthetic theory of evolution integrates genetics.

Scientific theory name.

6

Su estilo literario es seco, directo y extremadamente sintético.

His literary style is dry, direct, and extremely concise.

Literary criticism.

7

La fragancia es una mezcla de aceites naturales y fijadores sintéticos.

The fragrance is a mix of natural oils and synthetic fixatives.

Technical description of ingredients.

8

La realidad virtual ofrece una experiencia sensorial sintética.

Virtual reality offers a synthetic sensory experience.

Used to describe computer-generated experiences.

1

La dialéctica hegeliana culmina en un momento sintético superior.

Hegelian dialectics culminate in a superior synthetic moment.

Advanced philosophy (Synthesis).

2

Se requiere un esfuerzo sintético para unificar estas leyes dispersas.

A synthetic effort is required to unify these scattered laws.

Legal/Academic context.

3

El autor propone una visión sintética de la historia universal.

The author proposes a synthetic (integrated) vision of universal history.

Refers to the integration of vast knowledge.

4

La música electrónica a menudo explora texturas sonoras sintéticas.

Electronic music often explores synthetic sound textures.

Music theory and production.

5

La arquitectura moderna a veces peca de una frialdad sintética.

Modern architecture sometimes suffers from a synthetic coldness.

Used as a stylistic critique.

6

La síntesis de proteínas es un proceso biológico, no sintético en este caso.

Protein synthesis is a biological process, not synthetic in this case.

Clarifying the difference between the process and the origin.

7

El mercado de diamantes sintéticos está canibalizando al natural.

The synthetic diamond market is cannibalizing the natural one.

Economic analysis.

8

Logró una descripción sintética de una complejidad asombrosa.

He achieved a concise description of astonishing complexity.

Praising the ability to simplify the complex.

Colocações comuns

fibra sintética
césped sintético
cuero sintético
droga sintética
resumen sintético
diamante sintético
aceite sintético
biología sintética
pensamiento sintético
aroma sintético

Frases Comuns

de origen sintético

— Of synthetic origin; used to describe where a substance comes from.

Es un medicamento de origen sintético.

material sintético

— Generic term for any man-made material.

El casco está hecho de material sintético.

enfoque sintético

— A method that looks at the whole rather than the parts.

Necesitamos un enfoque sintético del problema.

visión sintética

— A broad, comprehensive overview.

Su visión sintética de la historia es fascinante.

tejido sintético

— Synthetic fabric.

Evita el tejido sintético si tienes la piel sensible.

producto sintético

— Synthetic product.

Este es un producto sintético de alta calidad.

hormona sintética

— Synthetic hormone.

El médico le recetó una hormona sintética.

caucho sintético

— Synthetic rubber.

El caucho sintético se usa para fabricar neumáticos.

lengua sintética

— A language that uses many inflections.

El ruso es una lengua muy sintética.

resumen muy sintético

— A very brief but complete summary.

Nos dio un resumen muy sintético de su viaje.

Frequentemente confundido com

sintético vs simpático

Beginners confuse the sounds, but 'simpático' means nice/friendly.

sintético vs simbiótico

A biological term for living together; sounds similar but unrelated.

sintético vs sincrónico

Means happening at the same time; also an esdrújula word.

Expressões idiomáticas

"capacidad sintética"

— The talent for summarizing complex ideas effectively.

Su capacidad sintética es lo que lo hace un gran jefe.

formal
"mente sintética"

— A mind that naturally sees patterns and integrates information.

Para ser filósofo se requiere una mente sintética.

academic
"belleza sintética"

— Beauty that looks fake or overly processed.

No me gusta la belleza sintética de los filtros de Instagram.

informal
"voz sintética"

— A computer-generated voice.

La voz sintética de GPS suena un poco rara.

neutral
"perfección sintética"

— Flawlessness that feels unnatural or manufactured.

El jardín tenía una perfección sintética que me incomodaba.

literary
"mundo sintético"

— A modern world dominated by artificial things.

Vivimos en un mundo sintético lleno de plástico.

philosophical
"emoción sintética"

— A feeling that is not genuine or was induced artificially.

La película me provocó una emoción sintética y barata.

critical
"estilo sintético"

— A writing style that is very concise and to the point.

Admiro su estilo sintético; no desperdicia ni una palabra.

literary
"juicio sintético"

— A logical statement that adds new knowledge.

El juicio sintético es fundamental para la ciencia.

academic
"realidad sintética"

— Virtual or augmented reality.

La realidad sintética está cambiando los videojuegos.

technical

Fácil de confundir

sintético vs artificial

They both mean man-made.

Artificial is broader; synthetic implies chemical creation. A wooden table is artificial, not synthetic.

Luz artificial vs. Fibra sintética.

sintético vs postizo

Both mean 'not real'.

Postizo is used for body parts (hair, teeth, eyelashes).

Pelo postizo vs. Cuero sintético.

sintético vs químico

Related to the process.

Químico is the substance; sintético is the property of being man-made.

Un producto químico sintético.

sintético vs falso

General term for 'not real'.

Falso implies deception; sintético is a technical description.

Un billete falso vs. Un diamante sintético.

sintético vs resumido

Both mean short.

Resumido is just 'shortened'; sintético implies a high-level intellectual integration.

Un texto resumido vs. Un análisis sintético.

Padrões de frases

A1

Es [noun] [adjective].

Es cuero sintético.

A2

Es de [noun] [adjective].

Es de origen sintético.

B1

Prefiero [noun] a [noun] [adjective].

Prefiero la lana a la fibra sintética.

B2

Debido a su carácter [adjective]...

Debido a su carácter sintético, es muy resistente.

C1

Posee una [noun] [adjective] de...

Posee una visión sintética de la realidad.

C2

No es sino un [noun] [adjective] de...

No es sino un constructo sintético de la mente.

B1

Hacer un [noun] [adjective].

Hacer un resumen sintético.

A2

Los [noun] [adjective] son...

Los materiales sintéticos son baratos.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

síntesis (synthesis)
sintetizador (synthesizer)
sintetización (synthesization)

Verbos

sintetizar (to synthesize/summarize)

Adjetivos

sintético (synthetic)
sintetizado (synthesized)

Relacionado

químico
artificial
compuesto
resumen
concisión

Como usar

frequency

High in technical, commercial, and academic Spanish.

Erros comuns
  • Sintetico (no accent) Sintético

    It is an esdrújula word; it must always have an accent.

  • Un alfombra sintético Una alfombra sintética

    Alfombra is feminine; the article and adjective must match.

  • Pelo sintético Pelo postizo

    While technically synthetic, we use 'postizo' for hair extensions or wigs.

  • Luz sintética Luz artificial

    We don't use 'sintético' for light; 'artificial' is the correct term.

  • Resumen sintético (meaning just 'short') Resumen breve

    Use 'sintético' only if it's a high-level intellectual synthesis, not just a short note.

Dicas

Gender Matching

Always check if the noun is feminine (fibra, alfombra) to change it to 'sintética'.

The Stress Test

Record yourself saying 'sin-TÉ-ti-co'. If you don't hear the 'TÉ' clearly, try again!

Beyond Plastic

Remember the academic meaning: 'concise'. It will make you sound very smart in meetings.

The Tilde

Never forget the accent mark on the 'e'. It's one of the most common spelling mistakes.

Shopping Labels

Next time you go shopping, look for the word on labels to see how it's used in real life.

Oils and Cars

If you have a car, check the oil bottle. You'll likely see 'Sintético' or 'Semi-sintético'.

Linguistic Fun

Spanish is less synthetic than Latin but more synthetic than English. Think about that!

Art History

Look up 'Cubismo Sintético' to see how the word is used in the world of art.

Medical Terms

In medical news, 'sintético' is the standard for man-made drugs.

Eco-Tip

In discussions about the environment, 'sintético' is often contrasted with 'biodegradable'.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'sin' (without) and 'natural' - it's 'sin-tético' because it's 'without' being natural (technically incorrect etymology but works for memory!).

Associação visual

Imagine a laboratory beaker combining different colored liquids to create a plastic thread.

Word Web

Plástico Laboratorio Resumen Química Artificial Fibra Poliéster Conciso

Desafio

Try to find 3 items in your house right now that have 'material sintético' and name them in Spanish.

Origem da palavra

From the Ancient Greek 'synthetikos' (συνθετικός), derived from 'syntithenai' (συντιθέναι), meaning 'to put together'.

Significado original: Pertaining to putting things together or combining parts.

Indo-European (via Greek and Latin).

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using it to describe people's appearances (like 'belleza sintética') as it can be insulting.

In English, 'synthetic' often sounds negative. in Spanish, it is more neutral and technical.

Cubismo Sintético (Juan Gris and Picasso) Síntesis evolutiva moderna (Biology) Sintetizadores en la música de los 80 (Movida Madrileña)

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Shopping for clothes

  • ¿Es de fibra sintética?
  • No me gusta el tacto sintético.
  • Prefiero evitar lo sintético.
  • Es una mezcla sintética.

Science class

  • El compuesto es sintético.
  • Proceso de origen sintético.
  • Reacción sintética.
  • Sustancia sintética.

Sports

  • Campo de césped sintético.
  • Botas para terreno sintético.
  • El rebote en sintético es distinto.
  • Prefiero el sintético cuando llueve.

Writing/Academic

  • Un estilo muy sintético.
  • Capacidad sintética de análisis.
  • Presentación sintética.
  • Enfoque sintético del tema.

Health/Medicine

  • Hormonas sintéticas.
  • Vitaminas de origen sintético.
  • Antibiótico sintético.
  • Piel sintética para injertos.

Iniciadores de conversa

"¿Prefieres la ropa de algodón o de materiales sintéticos?"

"¿Crees que el césped sintético es mejor que el natural para los estadios?"

"¿Es importante tener una mente sintética en tu trabajo?"

"¿Qué opinas del aumento de los diamantes sintéticos en el mercado?"

"¿Te resulta fácil hacer un resumen sintético de una película larga?"

Temas para diário

Describe un objeto en tu habitación que sea sintético y por qué es útil.

Escribe sobre las ventajas y desventajas de los materiales sintéticos en el medio ambiente.

¿Cómo ha cambiado la tecnología sintética nuestra vida diaria en los últimos 50 años?

Reflexiona sobre una vez que tuviste que ser muy sintético al explicar algo difícil.

¿Preferirías vivir en un mundo puramente natural o uno con avances sintéticos?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No, en español es un término técnico neutral. Por ejemplo, el aceite sintético es mejor para los motores que el natural.

Se dice 'cuero sintético' o 'piel sintética'. Ambas son muy comunes.

Solo si te refieres a su capacidad intelectual de resumen. Si dices que su belleza es sintética, suena a que ha tenido muchas cirugías.

Síntesis es el sustantivo (the process/result), y sintético es el adjetivo (the quality).

Empieza con 's' (sin-) y termina con '-tico'. No lo confundas con 'cinc' (zinc).

Porque es una palabra esdrújula, y en español todas las esdrújulas se acentúan.

El poliéster es un tipo de material sintético, pero no todos los materiales sintéticos son poliéster.

Césped sintético o hierba artificial.

Sí, es una expresión muy elegante y común en entornos académicos.

El antónimo más común es 'natural'.

Teste-se 200 perguntas

writing

Escribe una frase sobre tu ropa usando la palabra 'sintético'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

¿Qué opinas del césped sintético en los parques?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Describe un beneficio de los materiales sintéticos.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Haz un resumen sintético de tu día de hoy.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Explica la diferencia entre algo natural y algo sintético.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Escribe un anuncio corto para un sofá de cuero sintético.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

¿Por qué algunas personas prefieren diamantes sintéticos?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Describe el estilo de un escritor que te guste usando 'sintético'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

¿Qué problemas causan los materiales sintéticos al medio ambiente?

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Escribe una oración usando 'visión sintética'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Imagina que eres un científico. Describe un nuevo material sintético.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

¿Prefieres flores naturales o sintéticas? ¿Por qué?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Escribe una nota para un mecánico pidiendo aceite sintético.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

¿Cómo definirías una 'mente sintética'?

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Escribe una frase sobre el peligro de las drogas sintéticas.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Usa 'sintéticamente' en una oración.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Describe un objeto sintético que sea esencial para ti.

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

¿Qué es el Cubismo Sintético?

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Escribe una frase comparando dos tipos de alfombras.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

¿Qué significa que el latín sea una lengua sintética?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Pronuncia la palabra: 'sintético'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Di: 'Prefiero el algodón a la fibra sintética'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Explica en voz alta qué es el césped sintético.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Resume tu libro favorito de forma sintética.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Pronuncia: 'materiales sintéticos'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Di: 'El aceite sintético es mejor para mi coche'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

¿Qué opinas de la piel sintética?

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Pronuncia: 'visión sintética'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Di: 'Las drogas sintéticas son muy peligrosas'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Explica la diferencia entre natural y sintético.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Pronuncia: 'resumen sintético'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Di: 'Tengo flores sintéticas en mi casa'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Pronuncia: 'biología sintética'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Di: 'Este sofá es de cuero sintético'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

¿Es el español una lengua sintética?

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Pronuncia: 'sintéticamente'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Di: 'El aroma es totalmente sintético'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Pronuncia: 'diamantes sintéticos'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Di: 'Buscamos un enfoque más sintético'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

¿Te gusta la música hecha con sintetizadores?

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

¿Dónde está el acento en 'sintético'?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Identifica la palabra: 'sin-té-ti-co'.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

¿Es masculino o femenino en 'fibras sintéticas'?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

¿Cuántas sílabas tiene 'sintético'?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Escucha: 'resumen sintético'. ¿Cuál es el sustantivo?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Escucha: 'cuero sintético'. ¿Es natural o artificial?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Escucha: 'sintéticamente'. ¿Qué parte de la oración es?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

¿Cuál es la última letra de 'sintéticas'?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Escucha: 'aceite sintético'. ¿Para qué se usa?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

¿Suena igual 'sintético' que 'simpático'?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Escucha: 'enfoque sintético'. ¿Es formal o informal?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Identifica el adjetivo en: 'La alfombra sintética es roja'.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

¿Qué vocal lleva el acento?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Escucha: 'biología sintética'. ¿Es una ciencia?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Escucha: 'diamantes sintéticos'. ¿Son caros o baratos?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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