laboratorio

laboratory

noun lah-boh-rah-TOH-ryoh Less Common

Origin: From Latin laboratorium (place of work), from laborare (to work).

Also means

lab

Usage Note

Laboratorio is commonly shortened to labo in informal speech, especially among students and scientists. It is used for scientific labs (laboratorio de química) and pharmaceutical companies (un laboratorio farmacéutico). The stress falls on the to- syllable, which can trip up learners expecting the English-like stress pattern 'la-BOR-atory'.

Examples

"Los científicos trabajan en el laboratorio."

Natural Translation

The scientists work in the laboratory.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Spanish Numbers 1-100: Count, Spell & Pronounce

Spanish numbers 1 to 100 are a system, not a list: three patterns build every number. Master the spelling, the accent rule, and how to say prices fast.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Te Quiero vs Te Amo: Saying "I Love You" in Spanish

Te quiero vs te amo, explained: te quiero is the warm, safe everyday I love you; te amo is deeper and more romantic. A relationship-by-relationship map.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Object Pronouns: Lo, La, Le & Se Made Simple

Use lo/la for the direct object and le for the indirect — and le becomes se before lo/la. Master Spanish object pronouns with one simple verb test.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

You're Welcome in Spanish: Beyond De Nada

You're welcome in Spanish is more than de nada. Learn con gusto, no hay de qué, a la orden and more — and which to use by region and how formal the moment is.

June 3, 2026 6 min read