instrumento

instrument, tool

noun een-stroo-MEN-toh Less Common

Origin: Latin instrumentum

Usage Note

Instrumento covers both musical instruments (instrumento de cuerda — 'string instrument') and tools or instruments used to achieve a purpose (instrumento de medición — 'measuring instrument'). In diplomatic and legal contexts, instrumento jurídico refers to a legal instrument or document. The adjective is instrumental.

Examples

"El violín es un instrumento difícil de aprender."

Natural Translation

The violin is a difficult instrument to learn.

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