manantial

spring

noun mah-nahn-TYAHL Rare

Origin: From manar (to flow), from Latin manare (to flow, drip).

Also means

source

Usage Note

Manantial specifically denotes a natural spring where water emerges from the ground, making it more precise than fuente (which can mean a fountain or any source). Figuratively it is used as 'source' in literary contexts: un manantial de inspiración. It is always masculine despite ending in -al. The verb manar (to flow, to spring forth) is the root.

Examples

"El manantial brota entre las rocas."

Natural Translation

The spring bubbles up between the rocks.

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 Reflexive Verbs: Me, Te, Se Made Clear

Spanish reflexive verbs use me, te, se for actions you do to yourself. Master the daily-routine pattern, pronoun placement, and shifts like dormir vs dormirse.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

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

El or La? Spanish Noun Gender Rules Made Simple

El or la? Spanish noun gender is ~99% readable off the word's ending. Learn the o/a defaults, LONERS, feminine endings, and the handful of rebels to memorize.

June 3, 2026 7 min read

SpanishNow

Preterite vs. Imperfect: Spanish Past Tense Made Easy

Preterite vs. imperfect: use the preterite for finished events, the imperfect for ongoing scenery. A trigger-word cheat sheet, flowchart, and examples.

June 9, 2026 6 min read